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.
This dissociative identity disorder therapy encourages communication of conflicts and insight into any problems. Problems helped by psychotherapy include difficulties in coping with daily life- Barry was the only personality able to cope with daily functions due to his sessions with Dr. Fletcher. The impact of trauma, and abuse was the reason Dennis's personality was created. Kevin’s (host body) created this personality to defend and protect him by assuring everything was tidy, and done properly. Psychotherapy can aid by controlling or eliminateting any troubling symptoms so the individual can improve and increase there health and properly heal. This was the form of therapy that Barry and Dr. Fletcher had. Another common form of therapy is called cognitive
Cognitive therapy, which involves changing dysfunctional thought patterns. Family therapy, which helps to educate the family about the disorder, recognize its presence as well as work through issues that have developed in the family because of dissociative identity disorder. And also Hypnotherapy which can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and can help clients access repressed memories, control problematic behaviors, such as self-mutilation and eating disorders, and help fuse thier other personalities during the process. Some indications that therapy might be needed include sysmptoms like: memory loss, a sense of being detached from themselves and their emotions, distorted Perception, a blurred sense of identity, significant stress or problems in life, inability to cope well with emotional or professional stress, and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. DID requires a medical diagnosis, and treatment should always be conducted by professionals that specialize in dissociative identity disorder as it is a rare and challenging condition to treat. There are also contraindications onvolving the treatment of DID. Caution needs to be taken while treating people with DID with medications because any effects they may experience, good or bad, may
McAllsiter M, Michael. Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Literature Review. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, #7, pgs 28-33.
People often think that D.I.D. (Dissociative Identity Disorder) is something made up, something that a person is just inventing in order to get attention; that statement couldn’t be more Incorrect. Dissociative Identity Disorder, formally known at Multiple Personality Disorder, is a dissociative disorder, not a personality disorder or a psychosis. D.I.D. is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person’s thoughts, memories, emotion, behavior, or sense of identity. D.I.D. is thought to stem from trauma experienced by the person with the disorder. The dissociative aspect is thought to be a coping mechanism; the person literally dissociates himself or herself from a situation or experience that is too violent, traumatic, or painful to assimilate with his or her conscious self.
In conclusion, dissociative identity disorder creates different characters or personalities within the affected individual, pushing them away from a traumatic experience that they had gone through as a child, usually before nine years old. Symptoms that can occur include extreme moodiness, depression, drug abuse, and a loss of memory that stretches far beyond anything typical. Also, compulsive urge can cloud the mind of the individual, making them lose all sense of what is moral and practically singles out the chosen action as the only choice they can make in that moment. This disorder is among many that alter the mind and drop the victim into a world of suffering from symptoms and emotional distress.
Dissociative disorders can affect someone’s memory and make someone forget some of the important things in his or her life suck as their own identity. “When a dissociative identity disorder comes in to a person life it normally can make that person seem very distant and never aware of the other people in their lives.” (Diseases; 1) Which means that this person has absolutely no socials life. This person, when having a traumatic childhood, he or she can establish two or more different sets of personality. As an adult, this person may see an object that triggers the other personalities to come out; meanwhile, attempt to take control over the body.1a. SV; conj. adv, SV.) This other personality can be a different gender and he or she will most likely go by a different name. When this personality is in play the person’s original personality will have no memory of what the other being inside of him or her may have done.
More than two million cases can be found in psychological and psychiatric records of multiple personality disorders also called dissociative identity disorders. Dissociative Identity, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is a condition in which, an individual has a host personality along with at least two or more personalities with each identity having his or her own ideas, memories, thoughts and way of doing things (Bennick). Personality disorders are a group of mental illnesses. They involve thoughts and behaviors that are unhealthy and inflexible. A person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people. This causes significant problems and limitations in relationships, social activities,
The alternate identities present in an individual who suffers from DID are forms of coping mechanisms for the individual.
Many people may wonder what specifically defines Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). This disorder is a mental illness that involves the sufferer experiencing two or more clear identities or personalities, also called alters, each of which has their own way of seeing and connecting themselves to the world (1). This disorder was formally known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), and is frequently called split personality disorder (1). The actions of victims with DID are determined by the personality that is dominant at a specific time (7). “In the category of Dissociative Disorder there are four main disorders: depersonalization, derelization, dissociative fugue and dissociative identity disorder (8). Furthermore, “DID is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process, which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity” (www.webmd.com). Having a thorough understanding of the meaning of DID is exceedingly significant for the doctors that diagnose and treat patients.
Do you ever feel like you just can’t take reality anymore? You just want to escape it and in order to do so, your conscious awareness becomes separated from all the painful things you can’t stand, including your painful memories. Then suddenly you’re a totally different person. Another identity takes your place in suffering all the painful things you want to escape. Today, I’m going to talk to you about dissociative identity disorder (DID). I will be talking about what DID is, what causes DID and how it affects the individual (host/core). I will also mention a famous case in psychology.
In the book Sybil, written by Flora Rheta Schreiber discuss the life story of Sybil Isabel Dorsett, who has developed 16 distinct personalities because of her childhood abuse. Sybil story became one of the most severe cases ever recorded with multiple personalities. Which is currently called Dissociative Identity Disorder in the current DSM-V. “Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in—and alternately take control of—an individual. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness” (Psychology Today, 2008, para 1). Sybil’s distinct sense of selves helped protect her from the trauma she experienced as a child.
What is Dissociative Identity Disorder? A proper explanation of DID necessitates a dissection of the name itself. Dissociation is “a mental process, which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity.”1 In other words, there is a disruption in the way in which these usually integrated functions communicate. Daydreaming, highway hypnosis, or “getting lost” in a book or movie are all examples of very mild dissociation.
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...
Dissociative Identity Disorder or “DID”, a condition wherein a person's identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personalities. DID is a form of dissociation, which is a mental process. Dissociation according to Webster is, “the separation of something from something else or the state of being disconnected.” So dissociation begins from the person’s thoughts, their memories, actions, sense of identity, and their feelings. Most people subjected to this disorder where victims of severe abuse or trauma. In this moment of abuse or trauma, dissociation kicks in as a coping mechanism to protect them. In this the person creates a new person to help cope the pain.
Grohol, J. M. (n.d.). Psych Central: Dissociative Identity Disorder Treatment. Psych Central - Trusted mental health, depression, bipolar, ADHD and psychology information. Retrieved May 24, 2011, from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx18t.htm