Dissociative Identity Disorder Analysis

Dissociation can be defined as the splitting of regular interconnected mechanisms of memory, consciousness, perception and identity which define a person (Waseem, 2016). Dissociative identity disorder is a type of dissociative disorder where 2 or more personalities exist together in an individual (Passer, Mitchell, Smith, Muir, & Akinson, 2014). There are several other possible physiological effects of dissociative identity disorder due to the unique personalities and skills set that each personality brings. These physiological changes can range from in the mind to physical activities based on each personality.

Starting from the brain on a physiological scale, it has been found that the blood flow patterns in the cerebellum are distinct

for each personality (Passer, Mitchell, Smith, Muir, & Akinson, 2014). The cerebellum receives information from the sensory systems and coordinates voluntary movements like posture, balance, speech and coordination, therefore a change in blood flow to the cerebellum can have some effects in the movement of the person. Moreover, in measures of hemispheric dominance done by EEG tests, there were changes in activity of the individual’s hemispheres; so that the left-handed personality would have a more active right hemisphere, and vice versa for right-handed personalities (Passer, Mitchell, Smith, Muir, & Akinson, 2014). As demonstrated by these examples of how dissociative identity disorder can affect the brain, it makes sense that the different personalities of an individual can display different calligraphy, artistic ability or knowledge of foreign languages (Goleman, 1988).

Furthermore, it has also been proven that each personality can have different voice prints, this was shown through computerized spectral analyses of audio made by each personality (Passer, Mitchell, Smith, Muir, & Akinson, 2014). Not only was voice affected, but the visual acuity and eye muscle balance of dissociative identity disorder patients varied between the different personalities of an individual, which was shown in a study done by ophthalmologists (Passer, Mitchell, Smith, Muir, & Akinson, 2014). Another physiological change that occurs between personalities is allergies. One personality may be allergic to one substance, but the other personality may not be allergic to that same substance (Goleman, 1988). These allergic reactions may include hives, itching, or whatever the allergic reaction may be. It is also possible that if an allergen was ingested in the personality that was not allergic to the allergen, and a switch occurred to a personality which was allergic to that allergen, an allergic reaction could still occur (Goleman, 1988). There have also been reports of major physical changes in an individual when switching between different personalities. These physical changes include sudden development and vanishing of rashes, welts, scars or other tissue wounds (Goleman, 1988). Similarly, an individual affected by dissociative identity disorder can have different bodily responses to chemicals such as medication. One case included an individual who was given a tranquilizer, the childish personality became sleepy and relaxed because of the medication, but the adult personality became confused and experienced racing thoughts from the tranquilizer (Goleman, 1988). Moreover, another case involved a patient whose blood pressure changed dramatically depending on which personality was present, indicating that each personality has its own biological conditions (Goleman, 1988).

As demonstrated in the examples above, dissociative identity disorder patients can have personalities with their own advanced skills sets that the individual does not “normally” have. These unique skills and biological conditions can range from different brain activity, to different talents, to different reactions to medications between each personality of an individual. Therefore, an alternate personality could be able to run faster or know different languages than the other personalities of the dissociative identity disorder patient.