Dissociative disorder begins as a defense mechanism against anxiety.

Dissociative disorder begins as a defense mechanism against anxiety.

• A. Gradual loss of short-term memory.
• B. Means to avoid adult responsibilities.
• C. Consequence of using hallucinogens.
• D. Defense mechanism against anxiety.

Answer: (D)

Dissociation acts as an unconscious coping strategy to blunt overwhelming anxiety or trauma. By splitting off thoughts, memories, or experiences from conscious awareness, a person can continue functioning in the moment while distressful material remains out of reach. When this mechanism becomes persistent, it can lead to dissociative disorders, with symptoms like memory gaps, depersonalization, or identity fragmentation. This is why the statement describes dissociation as a defense against anxiety—the initial purpose is to reduce distress from unbearable experiences. The other ideas don’t capture why dissociative disorders occur: gradual short-term memory loss isn’t the defining onset of these disorders, and avoiding adult responsibilities is not the core mechanism of dissociation. Substance use can cause dissociative-like symptoms, but dissociation as a disorder is tied to anxiety/trauma-related coping rather than a drug effect.

Dissociation acts as an unconscious coping strategy to blunt overwhelming anxiety or trauma. By splitting off thoughts, memories, or experiences from conscious awareness, a person can continue functioning in the moment while distressful material remains out of reach. When this mechanism becomes persistent, it can lead to dissociative disorders, with symptoms like memory gaps, depersonalization, or identity fragmentation. This is why the statement describes dissociation as a defense against anxiety—the initial purpose is to reduce distress from unbearable experiences.

The other ideas don’t capture why dissociative disorders occur: gradual short-term memory loss isn’t the defining onset of these disorders, and avoiding adult responsibilities is not the core mechanism of dissociation. Substance use can cause dissociative-like symptoms, but dissociation as a disorder is tied to anxiety/trauma-related coping rather than a drug effect.