Dissociative identity disorder (DID)
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental disorder in which an individual has two or more distinct identities in his personality. Each identity of a DID person controls their behavior at different times, and every identity is so unique, having its own personality, history, behavior, traits, likes and dislikes. The first case of DID was reported in 1811 for "Mary Reynolds" and was documented by the physician "Samul Mitchel". "Dissociative Identity Disorder" (DID) was previously known as "Multiple Personality Disorder" (MPD). "Multiple Personality Disorder" was renamed to "Dissociative Identity Disorder" in 1994. The World Health Organization, however, continues to use the term "Multiple Personality Disorder," whereas most books and research now use the new term, Dissociate Identity Disorder (DID).
Dissociative identity disorder definition
"Dissociative identity disorder is a mental condition in which a person has two or more distinct identities or personalities, each with its own pattern of perception, behavior, and interaction with the environment."
In brief, the "main personality" of a DID (Dissociate Identity Disorder) person is inert, supine, depressed, and dependent. Their alternative personalities have two or multiple distinct identities called alters. The person himself is not aware of his condition. Individuals with DID (Dissociate Identity Disorder) are consciously aware of every alternating or split identity. However, the person has a memory gap (amnesia), which causes difficulty remembering daily tasks, events, meetings, and information. Every "alter" of DID has its own distinct names, identities, behavior, gender, age, temperament, self-image, background, and history that the individual has perceived, and some patients have "alters" of behaving like animals. At least two of these personalities repeatedly assert themselves to control the affected person's behavior and consciousness.
Prevalence
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare disorder affecting around 1% to 3% of the total population, and it begins in childhood. Between the ages of two and eight, 97-98% of DIDs reported being physically and sexually abused as children. Trauma in early childhood, such as the violent death of another person, torture, or neglect, is responsible for 2% of DIDs. Women are more affected than men because they are more often abused, but it affects both genders.
Causes
There are a variety of reasons that can cause DID. The main cause of dissociative identity disorder is repeated physical, emotional, sexual, or mental abuse beginning in early childhood.
- The trauma in one’s past can be an important factor in triggering this problem. Environmental factors include living through a war; natural disasters like famines and earthquakes; torture; kidnapping; or invasive medical procedures.
- Absence of safe and nurturing resources to overwhelm abuse or trauma.
- Home environment if it is violent, frightening, and unpredictable.
Alters
The different personalities that occur are called "alters."
Alters may have experienced a distinct personal history, self-image, and identity, including a separate name, as well as age.
At least two of these personalities recurrently take control of the person’s behavior.
Sometimes the two are more alter can co-exist, called co-fronting.
Identities can resemble the main personality or they may be a different age, sex, race, or religion.
Each personality can have its own posture, set of gestures, and hairstyle, as well as a distinct way of dressing.
some alters may speak in foreign languages or with an accent.
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Symptoms
- The individual experiences two or more distinct identities or personality states.
- Identity disruption involves a change in self-perception as well as changes in behavior, consciousness, memory, and perception.
- The individual's inability to remember large parts of their childhood.
- Suicide attempts or self-injury.
- Differences in handwriting occur from time to time.
- Sometimes new identities are not human, but are animals or imaginary creatures with frequent bouts of memory loss or "lost time."
- Memories that return unexpectedly, as in a flashback.
- They have sleep problems like insomnia, sleepwalking, and nightmares.
- Social isolation, hallucinations, delusions, depression, anxiety, and confusion are present in the personality.
- A sudden and unexpected shift in mood person have a feeling of disconnection from themselves and the environment. of dissociate identity disorder individual’s alter.
Reason of dissociative identity disorder individual's alter
There are several reasons for DIDs alter: when a person does not know how to deal with their traumatic past and uses dissociation as a coping mechanism. Disassociation acts as a defense mechanism that protects the child from thinking and feeling the past and remains in fantasy. When an intense traumatic experience occurs, it affects brain chemistry, which ultimately affects memory. The brain's neurochemicals are released in such large amounts that they influence the area of the brain responsible for memory. Depending on their individual brain chemistry, some human beings may be better able to dissociate than others.
Types of dissociative identity disorder
- Dissociative Amnesia
When a person blocks out certain information, it is usually associated with a stressful or traumatic event. This includes loss of memory for a long period of time.
- Dissociative Fugue
The person temporarily loses his or her personal identity. People with dissociative fugue often become confused about who they are and may even create new identities. People with this disorder show no signs of illness, such as strange appearances or behaviors.
- Depersonalization Disorder
In this condition, a person feels a sense of being disconnected or detached from his or her body. The disorder is sometimes described as being numb or in a dream, or feeling like you are watching yourself from outside your body.
- Identity Confusion
In this condition, an individual feels uncertain about who they are. A person may feel as if there is a struggle within him to define himself.
Diagnosis
People with multiple personality disorders are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. It can also be diagnosed by switching between two or more personality states, i.e., alters. Dissociative boundaries between the alters occur frequently.
Treatment
The most common treatments for DID or MPD include psychotherapy, family therapy, cognitive therapy, medication, and hypnosis. The treatment of dissociative personality disorder lasts an average of 4 years.
- Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the main treatment for dissociative disorders or MPD using the psychological method, with the goal of deconstructing the different personalities and uniting them into one. It is long-term usually twice a week.
- Family therapy
To educate the family about DID and its causes, to understand the changes that can take place as the personality is being reintegrated, as well as educate the family on how to cooperate and treat the individual.
- Cognitive therapy
This type of therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional thinking patterns.
- Medication
The most commonly prescribed medication is tranquillizers or antidepressant drugs because their altered personalities may have anxiety or mood disorders.
- Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a state of human consciousness involving focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness, and enhanced capacity for response to suggestion. Under hypnosis, the multiple personalities slowly reveal themselves, and since people in this state are highly receptive, the personalities can be integrated to form one single personality.
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