Which factor typically complicates the assessment of clients with dissociative disorders?

The presence of multiple identities or personalities is a key factor that complicates the assessment of clients with dissociative disorders. Individuals with these disorders, particularly Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), may exhibit distinct personalities that have their own memories, behaviors, and ways of perceiving the world. This fragmentation can make it challenging for mental health professionals to gather coherent and consistent information about the client's history, symptoms, and experiences. Each identity may have different levels of awareness regarding the treatment and the needs of the individual, potentially leading to conflicting information during assessments and making it difficult to establish a comprehensive treatment plan.

The other factors listed may pose challenges, but the inherent complexity of multiple identities is specifically central to the nature of dissociative disorders and highlights why thorough, sensitive assessment is vital in these cases.