Dissociative Disorder: Trauma, Fantasy, and How Treatments Vary

Abstract

Abstract Background: The cause of dissociative disorder has long been an elusive subject among scholars. The two available theories pose possible answers to this long-debated question. The first claims trauma as a probable cause, while the other maintains that a personality dysfunction leads to dissociative disorder.

Objective: This study aims to discern if dissociative disorder is developed after multiple and/or prolonged exposure to trauma or if dissociation is part of a personality trait present before exposure to traumatic experiences causing fantasy proneness and/or suggestibility leading to false memories of trauma and whether treatment will be affected by either theory.

Design and Method: The research method is based on peer-reviewed literature consisting of scholarly articles. Qualitative research was performed to obtain reliable data, and a systematic literature review was utilized to extract and analyze data from existing published works related to dissociative disorder. The main research questions presented in this study are as follows: Are dissociative disorders developed after multiple and/or prolonged exposure to trauma? Is dissociation part of a personality trait present before exposure to traumatic events? Can the personality trait proposed by the Fantasy Model lead to fantasy proneness and suggestibility that accounts for false reports and/or false memories of trauma? Will either model influence the success of treatments of dissociative disorders?

Results: The results of this study show that the two theories proposed will affect the treatment options available for dissociative disorder and that mental healthcare overall must become more accessible to individuals.

Conclusions: Dissociative disorder requires further research to understand what may cause dissociative symptoms. Both models of dissociation propose tantalizing theories, and each provides valuable insight. The Fantasy Model theory is very new when compared to the Trauma Model. Therefore, proponents of the Fantasy Model will need to continue their research to conclude certain aspects of this study.

Keywords: trauma, dissociative disorder, dissociation, fantasy, suggestibility