Dissociative Disorders in Children

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Not established diagnosed DD
Is it more common among children? Childhood dissociation is clinically important, particularly with trauma, but diagnosis is specialized
Are children at higher risk? Strong where maltreatment/trauma present
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? Very High
Does it show up differently among children? Strong Yes
How might it look different? Trance-like states, memory gaps, abrupt behaviour/state changes, imaginary-companion phenomena and trauma symptoms need developmental interpretation
What commonly occurs alongside it? PTSD; anxiety; depression; behavioural symptoms
What can it be confused with? Normal imaginative play; PTSD; seizures; ADHD; autism; neurological conditions
Common screening tool CDC — Child Dissociative Checklist
Separate screening tool for children CDC — Child Dissociative Checklist
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