Mapping Dissociative Symptom Profiles Across Neurodiverse and Mental Health Diagnoses, and Interpretation Challenges

Abstract
Dissociation is a transdiagnostic symptom common across a wide range of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, yet remains one of the most misunderstood and overlooked clinical phenomena. Accurate identification is essential for effective treatment planning, but dissociation can be difficult to distinguish from other presentations with overlapping features.

In this presentation, Dr Mary-Anne Kate, the creator of the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation – 60 item version (MID-60), maps dissociative symptom profiles across various diagnostic categories using composite client data. These profiles are drawn from thousands of de-identified client datasets analysed by her research team, using the MID-60 alongside screening tools for other mental health conditions. The profiles include individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID), autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and gender diversity. Drawing on this data, the presentation highlights both the prevalence of dissociative symptoms and the interpretation challenges that arise in clinical practice.

The talk explores how certain features of non-dissociative presentations can resemble dissociation on screening tools—raising important questions about differential interpretation. For example, individuals with ADHD may report distress over memory disruptions or time confusion that mirrors dissociative amnesia. In eating disorders, persecutory inner voices may appear similar to dissociative intrusions or alters. These symptoms may not necessarily be dissociative in nature, but may instead reflect overlapping cognitive or affective processes—or, conversely, they may indicate the presence of comorbid dissociative disorders. The presentation also examines the boundary between ego states and dissociative parts, particularly in individuals with complex trauma, and offers a framework for clinicians to assess when such states may reflect normative psychological structures versus dissociative phenomena. In some cases, these overlapping or misunderstood experiences may contribute to anomalously high scores on dissociation screening tools.

The presentation provides clinicians with practical tools and insights to recognise how dissociation may present differently across a range of mental health and neurodiverse presentations, enhancing clinical formulation and the ability to distinguish genuine dissociative processes from overlapping or similar experiences.

Potential to Distress: No
 

This was originally presented as a live webinar in July 2025.

Target Audience

Beginning/Introductory

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify dissociative symptom patterns across a range of mental health and neurodiverse presentations using data from the MID-60
  • Differentiate between dissociative symptoms and overlapping experiences that may appear similar, including memory-related distress in ADHD, persecutory voices in eating disorders, and ego state phenomena
  • Apply clinical insights from composite client profiles to enhance case formulation and improve recognition of comorbid dissociative symptoms
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
09/20/2024
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Part of: 
2025 Webinar Pass
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Mary-Anne Kate, PhD
Presenter Bio: Dr Mary-Anne Kate is an award-winning researcher and lecturer specialising in dissociation, trauma, and mental health. She is the creator of the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation – 60 item version (MID-60), a widely used screening tool for assessing dissociative symptoms and disorders. Mary-Anne is a member of the ISSTD Scientific Committee, and currently lectures in psychology at Southern Cross University, where she developed and leads units on psychological assessment and diagnosis. Her research focuses on dissociative experiences across diverse clinical presentations, including neurodevelopmental conditions and complex trauma. She is the lead author of the dissociative and somatic disorders chapter in the Australasian Wiley textbooks Abnormal Psychology and Psychopathology has received multiple awards for her research, including the ISSTD’s Morton Prince Award and David Caul Award, and the University of New England’s Chancellor's Doctoral Research Medal. Dr. Kate graduated from the University of New England, Australia in 2018 with a PhD in Psychology.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
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"Your Price" above reflects your price based on your membership status. In the checkout process you will be asked to specify your career level and may be eligible for further discounts based on your selection.

  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
  • ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

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