Dissociative Disorders in People living with Chronic illness

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? NE
Is it more common among people living with chronic illness? Medical symptoms can overlap with dissociative presentations
Are people living with chronic illness at higher risk? Strong clinical relevance
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? Very High
Does it show up differently among people living with chronic illness? Strong Yes
How might it look different? Amnesia, weakness, sensory changes, derealization or “not feeling real” may trigger repeated medical work-ups; neurological causes must be excluded appropriately
What commonly occurs alongside it? PTSD; depression; anxiety; functional neurological symptoms
What can it be confused with? Epilepsy; neurological disease; medication effects; FND; panic
Common screening tool DES-II — Dissociative Experiences Scale-II
Separate screening tool for people living with chronic illness None universal
1 of 14