Final answer:
The false statement about dissociative disorders is that they do not have a physical cause. While their exact etiology is complex, physical factors such as brain function changes can contribute to dissociative disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that dissociative disorders do not have a physical cause is false. Although the exact etiology of dissociative disorders is not fully understood, there is evidence suggesting that these disorders can have a physical basis related to neurobiological factors, such as changes in brain function and structure due to trauma. Dissociative disorders are characterized by involuntary escape from reality, with a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory. People with these disorders may experience memory and identity disturbances and a perception of reality that differs from the norm, including feeling disconnected from their own identity or sense of self. However, it is not accurate to say that they exhibit a personality style markedly different from their culture, which is more characteristic of personality disorders. Personality disorders involve enduring patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate from the expectations of society and persist over time, not due to substances or medical conditions, and cause significant distress or impairment in personal, social, or occupational situations.