Dissociative Identity Disorder in the Secret Window

1542 Words4 Pages

Dissociative Identity Disorder in the Secret Window Secret Window, released in 2004, is a film based on Stephen King's novel Secret Window, Secret Garden. The film follows increasingly disturbing events around a character called Mort Rainey, who is portrayed by Johnny Depp & John Turturro. This character appears to suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Rainey is a middle-aged novelist recently estranged from his wife; as a result, he has isolated himself at his cottage. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Rainey has another personality called Shooter, and Rainey himself comes to the realisation that Shooter is an identity that he has created to protect himself from the pain of his marital breakdown. Shooter takes over Rainey’s mind one last time to murder his wife and the man she cheated with. After his vengeance is carried out, Rainey seems at ease and jovial, and as the film ends, Rainey seems to be in a positive emotional state. This is an ambiguous ending that leaves the viewer unsure of Rainey’s mental health status. DID is a complex condition. It is difficult to diagnose, and it is associated with a great deal of debate and misunderstanding, both within the public realm and within the scientific community; C.M. Traub says that DID is one of the most “controversial diagnoses” (Traub, 2009). This paper will examine the diagnosis, prognosis, origins, and therapies and possible treatments for DID. In addition, DID’s controversial nature is investigated. Diagnosis According to Barlow, Durand & Stewart (2012), Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is one of several dissociative disorders in which a person experiences involve detachment or depersonalization. They go on to explain that people with DID ha... ... middle of paper ... ...dison, N. (2014, March 14). What is the Difference Between Schizophrenia and Multiple Personality Disorder? Retrieved from Wisegeek.com: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-difference-between-schizophrenia-and-multiple-personality-disorder.htm Spiegel, D., Loewenstein, R. J., Lewis-Fernández, R., Sar, V., Simeon, D., Vermetten, E., & ... Dell, P. F. (2011). Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269), 28(9), 824-852. doi:10.1002/da.20874 Tracy, N. (2010, September 30). Everything You Know About Dissociative Identity Disorder Is Wrong. Retrieved from http://natashatracy.com/: http://natashatracy.com/mental-illness/did/everything-about-dissociative-identity-disorder-wrong Traub, C. M. (2009). Defending a diagnostic pariah: validating the categorisation of Dissociative Identity Disorder. South African Journal of Psychology, 39(3), 347-356.

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