Dissociation and CoMorbid Complexity: Psychosis, Autism and OCD

Angela Kennedy; Emma Černis; Ruth Leaper; Darren James; Paul Langthorne; Helena Crockford; Vivian Okoye; Anthony Redhead

doi:10.4324/9781003625650-9

Dissociation and CoMorbid Complexity: Psychosis, Autism and OCD

Angela Kennedy
, Emma Černis
, Ruth Leaper
, Darren James
, Paul Langthorne
, Helena Crockford
, Vivian Okoye
, Anthony Redhead

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Comorbid mental health difficulties are common among individuals experiencing trauma-related dissociation. Such comorbidity can create significant complexity. This chapter begins by considering a transdiagnostic approach to formulation to help clinicians understand the influence dissociation may have within and across different comorbid clinical presentations. Three common conditions associated with dissociation (and with one another) are explored in further detail: psychosis; autism; and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Conceptual and clinical overlaps with dissociation are then explored, with a summary of the literature, practice guidance and clinical and lived experience examples. Through this, general considerations for addressing the broader range of comorbid and co-occurring difficulties experienced by people with complex dissociation, are illustrated.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Working with Dissociation in Clinical Practice
Subtitle of host publication	Guidance for Mental Health Professionals and Multi-Disciplinary Teams
Editors	Helena Crockford, Melanie Goodwin, Paul Langthorne
Place of Publication	London
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Chapter	7
Pages	167-190
Number of pages	24
Edition	1
ISBN (Electronic)	9781003625650
ISBN (Print)	9781041038450, 9781041038443
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003625650-9
Publication status	Published - 28 Jan 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 selection and editorial matter, Helena Crockford, Melanie Goodwin and Paul Langthorne; individual chapters, the contributors.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Psychology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.4324/9781003625650-9Licence: None: All rights reserved

Cite this

Kennedy, A., Černis, E., Leaper, R., James, D., Langthorne, P., Crockford, H., Okoye, V., & Redhead, A. (2026). Dissociation and CoMorbid Complexity: Psychosis, Autism and OCD. In H. Crockford, M. Goodwin, & P. Langthorne (Eds.), Working with Dissociation in Clinical Practice: Guidance for Mental Health Professionals and Multi-Disciplinary Teams (1 ed., pp. 167-190). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003625650-9

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Kennedy, A, Černis, E, Leaper, R, James, D, Langthorne, P, Crockford, H, Okoye, V & Redhead, A 2026, Dissociation and CoMorbid Complexity: Psychosis, Autism and OCD. in H Crockford, M Goodwin & P Langthorne (eds), Working with Dissociation in Clinical Practice: Guidance for Mental Health Professionals and Multi-Disciplinary Teams. 1 edn, Taylor and Francis, London, pp. 167-190. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003625650-9

Dissociation and CoMorbid Complexity: Psychosis, Autism and OCD. / Kennedy, Angela; Černis, Emma; Leaper, Ruth et al.
Working with Dissociation in Clinical Practice: Guidance for Mental Health Professionals and Multi-Disciplinary Teams. ed. / Helena Crockford; Melanie Goodwin; Paul Langthorne. 1. ed. London: Taylor and Francis, 2026. p. 167-190.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

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AU - Leaper, Ruth

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AU - Crockford, Helena

AU - Okoye, Vivian

AU - Redhead, Anthony

PY - 2026/1/28

Y1 - 2026/1/28

N2 - Comorbid mental health difficulties are common among individuals experiencing trauma-related dissociation. Such comorbidity can create significant complexity. This chapter begins by considering a transdiagnostic approach to formulation to help clinicians understand the influence dissociation may have within and across different comorbid clinical presentations. Three common conditions associated with dissociation (and with one another) are explored in further detail: psychosis; autism; and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Conceptual and clinical overlaps with dissociation are then explored, with a summary of the literature, practice guidance and clinical and lived experience examples. Through this, general considerations for addressing the broader range of comorbid and co-occurring difficulties experienced by people with complex dissociation, are illustrated.

AB - Comorbid mental health difficulties are common among individuals experiencing trauma-related dissociation. Such comorbidity can create significant complexity. This chapter begins by considering a transdiagnostic approach to formulation to help clinicians understand the influence dissociation may have within and across different comorbid clinical presentations. Three common conditions associated with dissociation (and with one another) are explored in further detail: psychosis; autism; and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Conceptual and clinical overlaps with dissociation are then explored, with a summary of the literature, practice guidance and clinical and lived experience examples. Through this, general considerations for addressing the broader range of comorbid and co-occurring difficulties experienced by people with complex dissociation, are illustrated.

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SN - 9781041038443

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BT - Working with Dissociation in Clinical Practice

A2 - Crockford, Helena

A2 - Goodwin, Melanie

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Kennedy A, Černis E, Leaper R, James D, Langthorne P, Crockford H et al. Dissociation and CoMorbid Complexity: Psychosis, Autism and OCD. In Crockford H, Goodwin M, Langthorne P, editors, Working with Dissociation in Clinical Practice: Guidance for Mental Health Professionals and Multi-Disciplinary Teams. 1 ed. London: Taylor and Francis. 2026. p. 167-190 doi: 10.4324/9781003625650-9

Dissociation and CoMorbid Complexity: Psychosis, Autism and OCD

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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Cite this