Dissociative Identity Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Overview

The authors describe the basic characteristics of dissociative personality identity disorders andfocus their attention in particular on its manifestations in children and adolescents. This disorderis described in the International Classification of Diseases-10 as a multiple personality disorder.It is assumed that a traumatic experience in childhood (in particular maltreatment and sexualabuse) can lead to dissociative disorders of mental development. It involves repeated traumaticexperience where the child can assume that they willoccur again and which he cannot avoid. Thechild’s traumatic experience is inconsistent with his usual experience. Dissociation is a defencemechanism which helps the child to endure the trauma. It is more difficult to diagnose thedisorder in children than in adults. Different „personalities“ are in children less structured andfixed. Manifestations of the disorder may be underrated assuming that a mere play or phantasyare involved. The diagnosis of the disorder in children is suggested by multiple symptoms, deviations of mood and behaviour, manifestations of aggressivity towards himself and others, manifestations of amnesia and the history of different diagnoses. From the therapeutic aspect individualdynamic therapy is indicated, hypnotic techniques may be also useful. In younger children alsogame techniques are used.

Key words:
dissociative identity disorders, multiple personality disorder, specific features inchildren and adolescents, diagnosis, therapy.