Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder

2. How Trauma and Dissociation Are Connected

DID can develop after any significant trauma at any age, but it is often associated with childhood trauma. These can include abuse or neglect or other overwhelming events, like the death of a parent or serious physical illness. Someone who has these experiences may disassociate as a way to protect themselves by creating alternate identities to compartmentalize emotions and memories surrounding the event.

Children are still developing their identities, and if they experience an overwhelming trauma, parts of their identities that should have blended remain separate, keeping memories, perceptions and emotions of their experiences segregated. Over time, they develop the ability to escape their mistreatment or emotions by detaching themselves from their trauma and retreating into their own mind.