Theory Of Dissociative Identity Disorder

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Dissociation is a word that describes what happens when normal perceptions, sensations, memories, or identity become disintegrated. It is a separation between two things and becomes a disorder when the behavior is extreme and uncontrolled. Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly known as multiple personalities, can be defined by as a mental disorder in which individuals experience a shattering of a unified identity into at least two separate but coexisting personalities with different memories, behavior patterns, and emotions(1). Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) shows an onset of multiple “alters” in a patient. Alters are personalities that appear to have the control over a person’s functioning in certain situations. These alters can dress, …show more content…

However, there are two major theories that give an understanding in the cause of DID. The Post-Traumatic model of DID suggests that it originates from severe trauma during childhood or adolescence. This trauma can be disorganized attachment, chronic neglect, and abuse (Vissia 2016). These experiences cause the formation of alters within the person as a defense mechanism. The second theory is known as the sociocognitive model, also known as the fantasy model (1). This model suggests that people who are diagnosed with DID are the product of their environment. Meaning, they are influenced by social and cultural factors that create or maintain the disorder. In this model, the person does not know, or think, that they have alters until it is suggested by a professional or another person in the patient’s life. It is at that point, they begin to believe that the do have alters which leads to diagnosis of DID. Unfortunately, the long-term prognosis for DID is not great, regardless of treatment method. However, there are treatment methods that can improve the symptoms. Ultimately, it is possible for alters to fuse, in others words they merge into their host personality. Yet they very rarely become unified …show more content…

Abnormal Psychology, Burke
2. “NAMI.” NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2017, www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Dissociative-Disorders.
3. Pais, S. (2009). A Systemic Approach to the Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder. Journal Of Family Psychotherapy, 20(1), 72-88. doi:10.1080/08975350802716566
4. Okugawa, G., Nobuhara, K., Kitashiro, M., & Kinoshita, T. (2005). Perospirone for treatment of dissociative identity disorder. Psychiatry And Clinical Neurosciences, 59(5), 624.
5. Brand B, & Loewenstein RJ. (2014). Does phasic trauma treatment make patients with dissociative identity disorder treatment more dissociative? Journal of Trauma & Dissociation : The Official Journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD), 15(1), 52-65.
6. Waiess EA. (2006). Treatment of dissociative identity disorder: "tortured child syndrome". Psychoanalytic Review, 93(3), 477-500.
7. Kluft RP. (1999). An overview of the psychotherapy of dissociative identity disorder. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 53(3),

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