Dissociative Identity Disorder

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Recommended: Controversies surrounding dissociative identity disorder

Expert on Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder, previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder is part of a group of conditions called Dissociative Disorders. “Dissociative disorders are mental illnesses that involve disruptions or breakdowns of memory, awareness, identity and/or perception” (Cleveland Clinic, 2012, np). A person with Dissociative Identity Disorder may have trouble with social activities, relationships, or even with maintaining a job. This happens because people who are diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder typically have problems with their identities, as well as their personal history, “someone with dissociative disorder escapes reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy” (Mayo Clinic, 2011, np) which may cause them to question if what they believe is real or not. Dissociative Identity Disorder is very complex, and may affect a persons’ functioning if it is not diagnosed, and treated.
Description of the Disability
Dissociative Identity Disorder is characterized by "switching" to alternate identities when the person is under stress. In dissociative identity disorder, people may feel the presence of one or more other people talking or living inside their head. Each of these identities may have a unique name, personal history and characteristics, including obvious differences in voice, gender, mannerisms and even such physical qualities as the need for corrective eyewear. People with Dissociative Identity Disorder may not be aware of the other identities that are present, or may be aware of only some of them. People with dissociative identity disorder typically also have Dissociative Amnesia. Dissociative Amnesia is, “memory loss that's more severe than normal forg...

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...atlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/11/first-person-plural/307055/
Diseases & Conditions. (2012, March 29). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/dissociative_identity_disorder_multiple_personality_disorder.aspx
Dissociative Disorders. (2011, March 3). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dissociativedisorders/DS00574/DSECTION=treatments%2Dand%2Ddrugs
Gillig, P. M. (2009). Dissociative Identity Disorder. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 6(3), 24-29. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database.
(2011). Guidelines for Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder in Adults, Third Revision. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 12(2), 115-187. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from http://www.tandfonline.com /doi/ref/10.1080/15299732.2011.537247#tabModule

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