...According to Harrison, Dissociative identity disorder (DID), also known as multiple personality disorder (MPD), is a mental disorder that takes controls of the person’s behavior due to the presence of two or more distinct identities within the body. DID is accompanied with the inability to recall important personal information that can’t be explained by ordinary forgetfulness (1). Coons claims, “people with MPD experience physical symptoms including headaches, changes in voice, unexplained pain, alterations in handwriting styles, conversion symptoms, palpitations, sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances including bulimia and anorexia, menstrual irregularities, and dermatological conditions” (Coons 47). This personality disorder occurs in different cultures worldwide where the individual has different mood, memories, and behavior for each of the...
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...Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder (MPD) is one of the most controversial mental disorders known to man. Although it only accounts for 1-3% of the general population, it has been advancing quickly. More and more researchers have been trying to find a cure for this mind altering disorder. Dissociative identity disorder is a condition wherein a person’s identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personalities. The identities are made to cope with different parts of the person’s life. They are unique and distinct from the person’s core personality. One of the personalities is always present, usually being the dominant one. There is no recollection of each other's roles in the body they...
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...Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health illness that affects individuals who have experienced trauma in a continuous aspect whether it is physical, emotional, neglect or sexual (Ellason, J. W. & Ross, C. A., 1997, p. 832). It can also develop as a result of living through a war and using dissociation in order to deal with the situation, hence some soldiers can develop DID after being in active combat (Ellason & Ross , 1997, p. 832). This disorder was was initially known as multiple personality disorder or hysteria and it was also thought of as the possession of the body by a demon , but in 1994 it was officially introduced into the DSM-4 as DID (Stickley, T. & Nickeas, R., 2006, p.180). The name change resulted in more research...
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...Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a controversial subject that has persisted since its existence. DID is defined as the “the presence of two or more personality states or distinct identities that repeatedly take control of an individual’s behaviour so that he or she has an inability to recall certain memories or important personal information.” (Reed-Gavish, M., 2013). The person’s many identities may have names, different life stories and differences in mannerisms (Mayo Clinic). Psychologists and mental health professionals are in dichotomy with one another on the subject. Some believe that DID is a serious disorder that is not taken seriously enough. These professionals believe that the disorder is caused by trauma in childhood. They,...
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...Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder) There are disorders in this world where people dissociate themselves from the world. This dissociation is a state of mind where a person becomes detached or separated from reality (Swartz, 2001). Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), is one of many of the dissociative disorders. This disorder specifically was previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder. It was known as Multiple Personality Disorder because of the multiple personalities or alters with people who have DID. They changed the name of the disorder because of the loss of memory when changing between identities. DID is a disorder that is very misunderstood, as well as, being controversial (Tartakovsky, 2013). This...
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...The topic of Dissociative Identity Disorder was chosen because there are many misconceptions surrounding the disorder which spread through media and film. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is commonly mistaken as a multiple personality disorder. In reality it is a detachment of an individual’s identity. Dissociative identity surpasses the classification of coping mechanism toward the realm of disorder. According to Dr. David Spiegel, Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, dissociative disorder “...involves a lack of connection among a person’s sense of identity, memory and consciousness...” (Spiegel, "Expert Q & A: Dissociative Disorders"). Thus, an individual enduring DID tends to undergo a detachment from reality and have...
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...The Many Faces of Dissociative Identity Disorder Abstract This research paper aims to explore the mental disease known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder. I explore the meaning, symptoms, and effects of DID. My research describes those diagnosed with DID and the probable reasons of why they have the disorder. This study also explains the many different treatments and the effects those treatments might have on a person that has the disorder. I include a research study done on someone diagnosed with DID, the method used to help treat her, and the results of her treatment. Lastly, I state my opinion on DID and the methods I believe with help people prevent, treat, and cope with Dissociative Identity Disorder. The Many Faces of Dissociative Identity Disorder Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a mental condition where a person possesses two or more different personalities which may alternate within the individual’s conscious awareness. A person living with DID many have as little as two personalities, referred to as alters, or as many as 100, though the average is about ten. Alters may exhibit differences in speech, behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, and gender orientation. They may even have physical differences, such as allergies, right-or-left handedness, or the need for eyeglass prescriptions. At least two of these personalities assert themselves repeatedly to...
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...Dissociative Identity Disorder was formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. This was changed in the year 1994 because of further understanding of the disorder, and realizing that the disorder was a result of early childhood trauma. Dissociative Identity Disorder is when a person possesses two or more personalities, which take control of the body and mind at different times. A person who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder forgets and often blacks out at times in which a different personality takes over. This forgetfulness is often described as “beyond ordinary forgetting”. During these times of “blacking-out” is when a secondary personality takes over, and that is the reason for the forgetting. The main identity is called the host identity and often is unaware of the secondary personality or personalities. Before the 1980’s Dissociative Identity Disorder was a rare disorder that did not seem to have much attention. Dissociative Identity Disorder was not mentioned by more then a sentence in the DSM that was under the category of “hysterical neurosis”. There was no separate listing for Dissociative Identity Disorder until 1980 where a group of interested therapists lobbied to have Dissociative Identity Disorder become a full part of the DSM. (Acocella 6) As defined in the DSM-IV TR Dissociative Identity Disorder is “the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states that recurrently take control of behavior.” (526) Dissociative Identity...
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...Dissociative Identity Disorder Multiple Personality Disorder Nathan Coy Thompson Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously referred to as multiple personality disorder, is a dissociative disorder involving a disturbance of identity in which two or more separate and distinct personality states (or identities) control an individual's behavior at different times. When under the control of one identity, a person is usually unable to remember some of the events that occurred while other personalities were in control. The different identities, referred to as alters, may exhibit differences in speech, mannerisms, attitudes, thoughts and gender orientation. The alters may even present physical differences, such as allergies, right-or-left handedness or the need for eyeglass prescriptions. These differences between alters are often quite striking. In clinical populations, the estimated prevalence of DID ranges from 0.5 to 1.0% (CA Ross 2006). In the general population, estimates of prevalence are somewhat higher, ranging from 1-5% . Females are more likely to receive a diagnosis of DID, at a ratio of 9:1. This author also contends that the disproportionately high number of females diagnosed with DID dispels the notion that incestual abuse is largely responsible for the development of DID. High percentages of individuals with DID have comorbid diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder. In addition, individuals diagnosed with DID...
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...Running Head: DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER: ITS CAUSES AND TREATMENTS Dissociative Identity Disorder: its causes and treatments: What are the roots causes and treatments of Dissociative Identity Disorder Abstract Research shows that Dissociative Identity Disorder, the most extreme form of dissociative disorders, is usually developed in childhood as a means to cope with emotionally difficult situations, whether it is sexual abuse or other childhood trauma. In the past, it has been assumed that Dissociative Identity Disorder has no treatment because of the complexity of the condition. However, recent studies have shown that structured clinical psychiatry sessions can alleviate the symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder and actually reduce the number of memory relapses. These conclusions stand as testimonies to the fact that Dissociative Identity Disorder can be treated despite the claims of past studies. “What if pretending she was somebody else was the only way a little girl knew how to defend herself. But she had to pretend so intensely that the pretending became real” (Sargent, 2007). In the 2007 docudrama film Sybil, directed by Joseph Sargent, the main character Sybil Dorsett suffers from 16 personalities because of her Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), which she developed as a child. Dissociative Identity Disorder is defined as “a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities (known as alters or parts), each with its own pattern of...
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...Introduction: One of the most controversial psychiatric disorders; Dissociative identity disorder is a rare chronic condition, and is considered controversial due to the likely comorbidity with other mental conditions making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder is one of a cluster of dissociative disorders. The dissociative disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions characterized by individuals experiencing an alteration of memory, consciousness, or identity for no natural reason. Individuals experience this escape from reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy causing problems with functioning in everyday life (Mayo Clinic, 2017). History: The...
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...Dissociative Identity Disorder: Abstract: The aim of this paper is to elucidate an in depth understanding of the phenomena of dissociative identity disorder. This piece was written while I was pursuing my certification in counseling and volunteering with social organizations dealing with specially abled individuals. The explanation delineated below seeks to bring out my understanding and perception of the subject. Meaning: Dissociative identity disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis explaining a condition whereby a person subconsciously exhibits multiple identities i.e. alter egos each distinct from the other behaving in its own manner independently from the others. It is necessary for atleast two personalities to take over a person for this disorder to occur. A person also has memory loss while he/she exhibits some other personality. This clearly means that a person is subconsciously getting a person into different personalities. Dissociative Identity Disorder is less common when compared to other dissociative disorders and occurs in about 1% of the dissociative cases. There have been many instances where the existence of dissociative identity disorder has been questioned. It is pertinent to note that dissociative identity disorder is diagnosed more commonly in North America in comparison to other areas of the world. Signs and symptoms: Patients who have been diagnosed with this disorder exhibit a lot of fluctuation in behavior and at times also show strange mannerisms. The main...
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...Dissociative Identity Disorder What Is This Disorder Many personality disorders can come from child abuse, one of the more complex disorders is Dissociative Identity Disorder. “Dissociative identity disorder, formerly referred to as multiple personality disorder, is a condition wherein a person's identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personality states. People with this rare condition are often victims of severe abuse.” ( Psychology today 2017). This disorder starts off just as dissociation, which is the separation of normally related mental processes, resulting in one mental process functioning independently from the rest. “The different personality states usually have distinct names, identities, temperament, and self-image....
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...Dissociative Identity Disorder The diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder has long been a controversial topic. (American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology 2015) It is my belief that things are sometimes controversial because they make others uncomfortable. This discomfort, in my opinion, can lead to false information, denial, fear and dismissal. I have never been someone who runs from discomfort. I try to embrace and understand it. This is what I have tried to do here with the research on dissociative identity disorder. There are a few reasons that this topic is of interest to me. First, trauma is prevalent in our country. It is a constant topic in my education, practicum and in the media. We discuss trauma informed...
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...Thomas McPhee Mr.O’Donnell Psych I Period 2 12/18/15 Term Paper Dissociative Identity Disorder 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. DID is a disorder characterized by identity fragmentation rather than a proliferation of separate personalities. The disturbance is not due to the direct psychological effects of a substance or of a general medical condition, yet as this once rarely reported disorder has become more common, the diagnosis has become controversial. Some believe that because DID...
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