Dissociative Identity Disorder ( Dissociative Disorder )

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Dissociative Identity Disorder
This posttraumatic dissociative disorder was previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Test Revision (DSM-IV-TR). The DSM-V has renamed it Dissociative Identity Disorder abbreviated as DID. “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision portrays dissociative identity disorder (DID) by means of two dissociative phenomena: a) amnesia (criterion C), and b) the presences of alter personalities (criteria A and B)” (Dell, 2002, p.10). Dissociation of personality is the defining feature of the disorder. Dissociative Identity disorder is characterized by the “adoption of several new identities (as many as 100; average is 15)” (Terwilliger, 2014). Each identity displays voices, postures, and behaviors unique to itself. There are three important terms used when talking about the identities. These are the alters, host, and switch. “Alters – the different identities or personalities. Host – the identity that keeps the other identities together. Switch – quick transformation from one personality to another,” (Terwilliger, 2014). These identities were created as a natural defense mechanism that the body used to protect itself from a traumatic experience by repressing the memories of it.
History of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder was first diagnosed as demonic possession. This diagnosis dates back to biblical times. “This article proposes a phenomenological model of therapeutic exorcism of demons for dissociative identity disorder by using the patient 's view of perceived demons and empowering them to use their own spirituality to expel them,” (Bull, 2001,...

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...mergency visits with DID patients include flashbacks, self-mutilation, suicide attempts and non-epileptic seizures. Some patients suffer from anxiety or panic disorders and other dissociative disorders.
Conclusion
Dissociative identity disorder is one of many dissociative disorders recognized by the DSM. It is differentiated by amnesia and the presence of alter personalities. There have been many different diagnoses for this disorder over the years. The first case dates back to biblical times. Over the years, the name of the disorder changed along with different beliefs on the causes and treatments. One of the most well-known cases is Sybil or Shirley Ardell Mason. This paper explored her case along with others to explain the disorder, the history, causes, symptoms, prognosis, diagnosis, misdiagnosis, treatment, and comorbidity of dissociative identity disorder.

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