Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) was once known as multiple personality disorder and is a rare and extremely controversial diagnosis. DID is characterized by the presence of at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality traits or identities.
This diagnosis has been portrayed in movies such as Sybil, Psycho, The Three Faces of Eve and Split. In these films there is a clear distinction between personalities and characters an individual displays.
Because DID has been misunderstood and is hard to detect, it is often called a rare condition. In fact, DID only occurs in approximately one percent of the general population. This is the same percentage of people who have schizophrenia.
Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions that involve experiencing a loss of connection between thoughts, memories, feelings, surroundings, behavior and identity. These conditions include escape from reality in ways that are not wanted and are not healthy.
This causes problems in managing everyday life. Dissociative identity disorder usually occurs in people who experienced overwhelming stress or trauma during childhood. DID usually arise as a reaction to shocking, distressing or painful events and help push away difficult memories.
The most common factors being prolonged neglect and childhood sexual abuse, as many as 90 percent of people with DID have a history of childhood abuse or neglect.
Symptoms can range from memory loss to disconnected identities. Times of stress can worsen symptoms for a while, making them easier to see.
This disorder involves “switching” to other identities. Individuals describe the feelings of having two or more people talking or living inside your head, and at times, feeling like you’re possessed by other identities.
Each identity may have a unique name, personal history and features. These identities sometimes include differences in voice, gender, mannerisms and even such physical qualities as the need for eyeglasses.
There also are differences in how familiar each identity is with the others. Dissociative identity disorder usually also includes bouts of amnesia and often includes times of confused wandering.
The primary treatment for DID is long term psychotherapy and medication. Talk therapy can help you understand why you dissociate and give you the tools to cope. There is no specific medication to treat the condition.
Christina Martinez, LCSW, is the Program Manager of the Los Banos Clinic of Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, located at 40 W. G. St., Suite C, in Los Banos.
