Dissociative Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

present current research on dissociative disorders and childhood experiences of trauma/abuse, and . . . include clinical illustrations of the role dissociation plays in the complex symptomatic presentation of these young patients and the consequent differential diagnostic dilemma presented to the clinician / an important but too often underemphasized point that will enhance understanding of the material . . . is that dissociation is a defense that is integral (by definition) to the symptomatic presentations in the dissociative disorders, yet it is only one aspect of these patients' complex developmental adjustment to their experiences the real utility in identifying dissociative symptoms lies in the recognition that the variety of disturbances in identity, affect modulation, behavioral control, and attention that are present in these children are integrally related to their past traumatic experiences / correct identification of dissociative symptoms has a tremendous impact on later diagnostic and treatment formulations in these cases and has implications for psychosocial intervention to prevent further trauma as well (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)