Essay On Dissociative Identity Disorder

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Dissociative Identity Disorder, also known as Multiple Personality Disorder, (MPD) is a severe condition in which two or more identities or personalities are present in ones mind. These personalities are capable of taking complete control of the individual as well. (Psychology Today, Dissociative Identity Disorder, paragraph one) Dissociative Identity Disorder is a serious mental disorder that has been recognized repeatedly around the United States, women being the majority of patients. Patients are diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder several years after seeking medical treatment. Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder are related to disease such as Schizophrenia and Depression. Treatment of this disease is an extended period of therapy and medical attention.
Dissociative Identity Disorder was first documented in the early 1800s of the United States but it was not recognized in The American Psychiatric Association until the year 1980. In the year 1994 Multiple Personality was changed to Dissociative Identity Disorder. It is a very rare condition but has been the subject of many fiction novels and movies, including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the three faces of evil. Since the year 1970 the number of cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder increase. With each case reported scientists learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Dissociative Identity Disorder can develop at any age even as young as three or four. The disorder can develop when a child suffers a traumatic event that causes mental suffering. Over time we can repress this traumatic memory but reoccurrences of the stress involved in the event can cause a apart of the personality to split off and form an alter personality to help cope. Alter personali...

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... at a young age and not be discovered until the patient is much older. Dissociative Identity Disorder cannot be cured but there are many programs that can teach patients the proper way to deal with alter personalities. As the birth personality learns to deal with alter personalities the need to have separate personalities can diminish. The statistics of Dissociative Identity Disorder is 0.1% to 1% of the general population has reported to having the disorder. Still, more than 1/3 of the people say they feel as if they are watching themselves in a movie at times when alter personalities are in control. 98% to 99% of individuals who have developed Dissociative Identity Disorder have recognized a personal history of the symptoms associated with the disorder. There is still in today’s population 7% of people that may have undiagnosed Dissociative Identity Disorder.

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