Development of dissociative disorders in adulthood appears to be related to the intensity/frequency of dissociation during the actual the traumatic event(s) (Dissociation FAQ’s). Dissociation may become a defensive pattern that persists into adulthood and can result in a full-fledged disorder (D.I.D.). D.I.D. is understood to be a result of several factors; however, an individual that experiences recurrent episodes of abuse during childhood is more likely to dissociate and develop D.I.D. (D.I.D.). As many as 99% of individuals who develop this disorder have recognized personal histories of recurring, overpowering, and often life-threatening disturbances at a sensitive development state of childhood. Children in families where parents are frightening …show more content…
Diagnosed? Diagnosis takes time because the list of symptoms that cause a person with a dissociative disorder to seek treatment is very similar to those of many other psychiatric diagnoses (Dissociative Identity Disorder). The average time that elapses from the first symptom to diagnosis is six to seven years (Psychology Today). The DSM-V provides the following criteria to diagnose dissociative identity disorder: • Two or more distinct identities or personality states are present, each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self. • Amnesia must occur, defined as gaps in the recall of everyday events, important personal information, and/or traumatic events. • The person must be distressed by the disorder or have trouble functioning in one or more major life area because of the …show more content…
Consequently, it is very difficult to correctly diagnose an individual with D.I.D. (D.I.D. Research). D.I.D. must be distinguished from or determined if comorbid with a variety of disorders (Dissociative Identity Disorder). Symptoms of D.I.D. could be mistaken for mood disorders such as bipolar disorders or major depressive disorder (D.I.D. Research). Other misdiagnoses include personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia (Dissociative Identity Disorder). D.I.D. may also be mistaken for other dissociative disorders such as dissociative amnesia (D.I.D.