Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder, is a disorder in which an individual has the presence of one or more personality states. These personality states each have their own distinct names, attitudes, identities and self-images within an individual’s conscious awareness. At least two of the personalities take control of the affected person’s behavior. Dissociation is defined as the disruption of the normal integrative process of consciousness, perception, memory and identity, which define selfhood (Pias, 2009). Symptoms of dissociation includes amnesia, depersonalization, identity confusion, age regression, hearing internal voices, and identity alteration (). Dissociative identity disorder is believed to result from the splitting of conscious awareness and control of ones thoughts, feelings, memories and mental components as a response to traumatic experiences that was unacceptable to the individual. It indicates a broken personality with the absence of a clear and comprehensive identity (Pias, 2006).

Dissociative identity disorder has become understood as a complex and chronic posttraumatic psychopathology. Several factors including chronic stress, the inability to separate memories, abnormal psychologic development, and an inadequate protection and nurture during childhood have been identified as causes of DID, but how these factors lead to the development of DID is unclear. In most cases, DID become present in early childhood around age 2.5 to 8 years old, but the issues often arise in early adolescence. Most theories states that DID is a defense mechanism and is often a reaction of severe childhood trauma, often sexual abuse, but may also include physical, emotional abuse and negle...

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...chniques such as dream interpretation and hypnosis to bring unconscious material to the conscious in order to help the patients better understand themselves. One difference between the two therapies is the use of archetypes in Jungian therapy.

Bibliography

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Pias, S.(2009). A systematic approach to the treatment of dissociative identity

Disorder. Journal of family psychotherapy, 20, 72-88.

Sharf, S. R. (2012). Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling: Concepts and Cases.

Canada: Cengage Learning.