What causes dissociative disorders?

What causes dissociative disorders?

Dissociative disorders often first develop as a way to deal with a catastrophic event or with long-term stress, abuse, or trauma. This is particularly true if such events take place early in childhood. At this time of life there are limitations on one’s ability to fully understand what is happening, coping mechanisms are not fully developed, and getting support and resources depends on the presence of caring and knowledgeable adults.

Mentally removing oneself from a traumatic situation — such as an accident, natural disaster, military combat, being a crime victim, or repeated physical, mental or sexual abuse — can be a coping mechanism that helps one escape pain in the short term. It becomes a problem if over the long term it continues to separate the person from reality, and blanks out memories of entire periods of time.