DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER (DID)
Dissociative identity disorder is a mental condition marked by at least two distinct identities, or personal states, that alternatively take control over an individual.
- It was formerly known as multiple personality disorder.
- An individual that suffers from this disorder has a main personality or primary identity that may appear passive, dependent, and depressed.
- Their alternative personalities are in no way related to the main personality, they may possess a different age and gender and exhibit different mood, characters, and preferences.
- The personalities may also appear at alternating times – take turns being in control. A personality not in control then detaches or dissociates and may not be aware of what is happening.
- The term used to describe the process of each personality revealing itself and taking control of the person’s behavior and thought is termed switching.
- Switching can happen within seconds, may take minutes and sometimes even days.
- People with the disorder sometimes have suicidal tendencies and suffer from drug abuse.
- One report shows that around 70% of people diagnosed with the disorder had attempted suicide at least once.
- People of any age, ethnicity, gender, and social background can develop the disorder.
- This disorder can cause distress or impairment in the person’s everyday functioning with friends, family, at work, school, or an important area of their life.
CAUSES
DID is thought to be caused by trauma from a person’s childhood, such as sexual assault, emotional abuse or physical abuse.
One theory explains that in an attempt to cope with traumatic experiences, the child detaches or dissociates from reality. In this way, a different personality endures the abuse and contains the horrific emotional and physical impacts, leaving the person with little or no memory of the event.
If the abuse goes on for many years, and if different scenarios and perpetrators are involved, many different parts may dissociate. It is this dissociation that allows the child to keep growing and manage the stress associated with the trauma.
Not every child with a history of a traumatic childhood experience develops a dissociative disorder. The absence of a normal, healthy attachment to an adult or caregiver who supports and looks after the child emotionally may also be a critical factor.
An early loss or serious medical illness may cause the condition.
SYMPTOMS
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Night terrors or nightmares
- Mood swings
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
- Eating disorders
- Confusion
- Exhibiting two or more personalities
- Memory gaps in the recall of everyday events or important information
- Flashbacks
- Sleepwalking
- Anxiety
- Feelings of detachment
- A headache
- Out of character behaviour or out of body experiences
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Psychiatrist and psychologist use different diagnostic tools to evaluate a person for dissociative identity disorder. This may include criterias set by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5) such as
- Two or more distinct personality state are present, each with its own pattern of behavior
- Amnesia must occur. This is defined as gaps in the recall of everyday events, important information, and/or traumatic experiences.
- The individual must have trouble functioning in one or major life areas as a result of the disorder.
- The disturbance is not part of normal cultural or religious practices
- The symptoms cannot be due to direct physiological effects of a substance such as blackouts or behavior associated with alcohol intoxication, or conditions such as complex partial seizures
TREATMENT
No cure exists for this disorder, but long-term treatment may be helpful. The aim of treatment to help all personalities live and work together unitedly. Treatment can also help a person identify what triggers the personalities switch so that they can feel prepared.
No medications are available to treat this disorder so therefore psychological therapies are the only available options. Therapies such as talk therapy, or psychotherapy.
Antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs or tranquilizers may be prescribed to help control the mental health symptoms associated with the disorder