Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder, or DID, is defined as: “The result of a marvelously creative defense mechanism that a young child uses to cope with extremely overwhelming trauma” (Hawkins, 2003, p. 3). Ross describes DID in this way: “In its childhood onset forms, the disorder is an effective strategy for coping with a traumatic environment: It becomes dysfunctional because environmental circumstances have changed by adulthood” (1997, p, 62). What types of traumatic environments are we talking about here? Often children who form DID are involved in some sort of abuse. These types of abuses can be physical, sexual and even ritual. Such abuses are not meant for children to have to endure, however, the mind is able to deal in effective ways to allow the child to bear such intolerable environments. As one examines this subject, one finds that there are varied opinions on DID, however, it is important to understand the nature of DID, types of DID as well as DID symptoms and healing in adults.
DID, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, often seems to come with a stigma of someone who is mentally ill or psychotic. As we look into society at popular media sources and examine the characters who display the symptoms in movies, we can see that characters with DID are often portrayed as murderers or psychotic people. In 2003 Columbia Pictures Industries, inc. released a movie called Identity. The basis of the film is that all the murders and evil happenings were happening in one man’s mind. The man, who was on death row for murdering young women in real life, was in the midst of treatment to overcome DID, however, he remains a real life murderer even until the end. In one of the most popular movies of this generation, and a trilogy of great fantasy literature, involves a character named Golem who himself has multiple personalities. His character is troubled, cunning and evil, and has murderous intent. However, in real life DID is not like this. DID is a coping strategy for children who are involved in great trauma. Hawkins puts it this way: “God built marvelous ingenuity into the human mind in order to allow the most vulnerable part of His creation – the little children – to survive the worst kinds of evil that Satan would perpetrate through fallen man” (2003, p. 3). Ross goes into further detail:
What is DID? DID is ...
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____3 (12.5%) Have you ever seemed to acquire or lose possessions without conscious knowledge?
____4 (12.5%) Are you frequently accused of saying or doing things you do not feel you have said or done?
____5 (12.5%) Do you have any abnormal fears which you may hesitate to admit?
____6 (12.5%) Do you have pictures of traumatic events flash in you r mind while fully awake for which you have no conscious memory?
____7 (12.5%) Have you ever found yourself suddenly remembering strange behaviours by friends or family members which seemingly make no sense?
____8 (12.5%) Do you experience consistent or intermittent low self-esteem?
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Note: This response sheet is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as a clinical diagnosis. Results need to be confirmed by professionals qualified in your state/province.
Moreover, Complex trauma is a leading factor in many health issues and diagnoses such as ADHD, ADD, Anxiety disorder, Borderline disorder, depression, bipolar, and PTSD. The list of possible diagnoses is endless, and finding proper treatment is a struggle. In 2013, a Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) was proposed, with a complete diagnosis description and criteria, for consideration for the DSM-5. But unfortunately, even with 20-year supporting research accompanying the proposal, the disorder still goes unrecognized as a formal diagnosis (Kilrain
Each individual has their own unique characteristic, this is what differs us from the rest. However, there are a select number of individuals who posses an extraordinary trait. This condition is normally characterized by the presence of at least two clear personality traits, which are referred to as alters. These alter of personalities produce multiple bodily functions, emotions, and reactions. This remarkable disorder is called, Dissociate Identity Disorder, or also acknowledged as multiple personality disorder. Medical Daily wrote that women tend to experience a higher risk to sexual abuse, therefore, the “women are nine times more likely to be diagnosed with DID”(Castillo), instead of men. However, in the movie, Split, Kevin (James McAvoy)
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In media, today, personality disorders have become a recurring theme in thriller or suspense movies. The workings of the mind are portrayed in a fascinating, and often overexaggerated, way. The way some can appear so unhuman or farfetched from the rest of society spikes the interests of those leading “normal” lives. Hollywood has played a large part in this. Perhaps one of the most notorious examples is Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The gruesome deaths and abnormal attachment to his mother make for a thriller that will not be forgotten. Over the years, Psycho has not waned in popularity as Bates Motel, a television series spinoff, gives Norman Bates a more detailed back story. While these stories take different approaches, they both enter the world of personality disorders. The examples of dissociative identity, as shown in Psycho and Bates Motel, provide an accurate portrayal of the disorder, because of the disorder origins, diagnosis process, symptoms, and personality differences.
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
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.
Out of all the classes that I have taken here at Westfield State College, I can honestly say that Abnormal Psychology has been by far the most interesting. Since this course has had such a major influence on me this semester, I am strongly considering continuing my education in this field of psychology. Throughout the semester, we studied a number of intriguing disorders. The disorder that really seemed to catch my attention was the Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). I took it upon myself to use this opportunity to learn more about the disorder that seemed to be the most fascinating. This is the main reason why I chose to read The Minds of Billy Milligan, by Daniel Keyes. This true story shows us how a young man (Billy Milligan), who suffers from DID, is charged with crimes that one of his alternate personalities is responsible for. Daniel Keyes is the writer who offered to reveal Billy's story to the world. After Billy was fused, he was able to explore the depths of his mind and the minds of his other 24 personalities for Keyes. Keyes published The Minds of Billy Milligan in 1981, but most of the story takes place before then. The book starts out in 1977, where Billy is being sought out for rape crimes.
... personalities. Whilst no causes are confirmed, it is believed that a traumatic event of some description can lead to DID in adulthood. Using the mental status exam, psychologists can begin to treat a patient using either psychotherapy or hypnosis methods or even both, whilst other alternative methods can also be used if need be. The symptoms of DID can be severe but the eventual outcomes can even more so be life threatening. Today, DID is recognised as a mental illness and it is easier now to receive help than it was in the 19th century. The movie Sybil shows how the illness can be treated in a modern day context and gives viewers a valuable insight to the disorder in full. Whilst the illness can be debilitating and devastating in life for some people, it is comforting to know that some psychologists’ think that DID is on the decline[1].
The alternate identities present in an individual who suffers from DID are forms of coping mechanisms for the individual.
First, you must know about what DID is. DID is a mental disorder, in which two or more distinctive personality states (alters) alternately take the conscious behavior of the individual (host/core). The history all started in 1791, when a german women started showing signs of the disorder. The following years, DID became more known to people because of famous cases on the disorder. For example, Sybil, it is a book and a movie based on a girl who suffered from this disorder with 16 personality states (alters). Sybil often used these personality state (alters) to deal with her childhood traumas her mother caused. DID is a rare disorder and it affects women more than men.
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.
My topic of choice for this research paper is Dissociative Identity Disorder or DID. This appellation is rather new; therefore, most are more familiar with the disorder's older, less technical name: Multiple Personality Disorder or MPD. When first presented with the task of selecting a topic on which to center this paper, I immediately dismissed Dissociative Identity Disorder (which for the sake of brevity will be referred to as DID for the remainder of this paper) as a viable topic due to the sheer scope of the disorder. However after an exhaustive examination of other prospective topics, I found myself back at my original choice. There are several reasons why I chose DID. The foremost of which is the widespread fascination of this disorder by many different types of people; most of whom otherwise have no interest in psychology or its associated fields. One would be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t been captivated at one time or another by the extraordinary, all too well known symptoms of this disorder. This fascination… dare I say ‘allure’ to this disorder is exemplified by the myriad of motion pictures that have been produced based on cases, real or fictitious, of DID. Another reason for my choice is what I feel is the insufficiency of effective treatments for DID. Despite what is known about this disorder, (which is relatively a lot) there are only two chief treatments for DID; the first and most prevalent is psychotherapy; also known as ”talk therapy”, the second is medication. The third and final reason for my choice is my own enchantment with DID. I must admit that ever since I read about Sue Tinker, a woman who was diagnosed with over 200 different personalities. In writing this paper I hope to discover more about this disorder and perhaps be able to identify a few areas that I feel might require more research on the part of psychologists specializing in DID.
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...