Pathological Dissociation in The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R): Prevalence, Morbidity, Comorbidity, and Childhood Maltreatment
Journal of Trauma & Dissociation April 15, 2022 D. Simeon, Frank W. Putnam
About 4.1% of U.S. adults meet criteria for pathological dissociation likely indicating a dissociative disorder. People with pathological dissociation have worse physical and mental health, high rates of most major psychiatric disorders, and are often hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. Over half have attempted suicide—significantly more than those with lifetime major depression. Childhood maltreatment—including physical abuse, witnessing domestic violence, physical neglect, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect—each uniquely and additively predicts the severity of pathological dissociation and its three core experiences: amnesia, depersonalization/derealization, and identity alteration. Maltreatment levels in the pathological dissociation group exceed those in major depression and match those in PTSD, underscoring the need for better diagnosis and treatment of these common and debilitating conditions.