Abstract

Dissociative disorders can be defined as disruptions in the usually complete functions of consciousness, memory, identity and perception, therefore characterized by the disruption of normal consciousness integration. When talking about children and adolescents, the most common are conversion disorders as well as identity disorders, which include a significant discontinuity of self-experience with changes in affect and behaviour, most commonly observed as memory disorder, concentration and attachment disorder, leading to significant impairment in social, work and other important areas of functioning. Causes are found in traumatic events of abuse, but also in many other traumatic experiences, such as hospitalization, relocation, loss of important persons, etc. Neurobiological studies of traumatized children show abnormalities (functional and structural) in the development of the lymphatic system as well as cortical changes. In his research, Van der Kolk states that an increased level of emotional upheaval leads to changes in the hippocampus responsible for inadequate evaluation of sensory information. It is important to emphasize that children normally exhibit fantasy and imagination in behaviour, which presents difficulties in the diagnostic process in relation to pathological dissociation. A special problem is differential diagnosis, as well as comorbid diseases.