Dissociative disorders in children and adolescents: Clinical features, assessment, and treatment

Psychoform dissociative disorders comprise syndromes of amnesia, stupor, fugue, trance and possession, identity diffusion, and depersonalization/derealization. Dissociative symptoms also occur in other mental disorders (predominantly trauma-related disorders). It is unquestioned that disabling dissociative syndromes are already seen in childhood. However, diagnostic criteria adapted for this age group are lacking. Our knowledge of the prevalence, co-morbidity, and clinical course of psychoform dissociative disorders also is sparse. To date there are no evidence-based treatments. On this basis a short review is given of symptoms, assessment, comorbidity, clinical course, and treatment of psychoform dissociation in children and adolescents.