Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Disorders are characterized by alterations in perception: a sense of detachment from one’s own self, from the world, or from memories. It likely to happen after an extremely stressful event, such as accident. It also is more likely to happen when you’re tired or sleep deprived from staying up all night cramming for an exam. If you have had an experience od dissociation, it may not have bothered you much, perhaps because you know the cause. On the other hand, it may have been extremely frightening. Transient experiences of dissociation will occur in about half of the general population at some point in their lives. Dissociative Disorder include Depersonalization- Derealization Disorder, Dissociative amnesia, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Dissociative Trance Disorder.
About Dissociative Identity Disorde:
People with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) may adopt as many as 100 new Identities, all simultaneously coexisting, although the average number is closer to 15. In some cases, the identities are complete, each with its own behavior, tone of voice, and physical gestures. But in many cases, only partially independent, so it is not true that there are “multiple” complete personalities. Therefore the name of the disorder was changed from Multiple Personality Disorder to DID. The person who becomes the patient and asks for treatment is usually a “host” identity. Host Personalities usually attempt to hold various fragments of Identity together but end up being overwhelmed. The first personality to seek treatment is seldom the original personality of the person. Usually the host personality develops later. Many Patients have at least one impulsive alter who hand handles Sexuality and generates income, sometimes by acting as a prostitute. In other cases, all alters may abstain from sex. Cross gendered alters are not uncommon. For Example, a small agile woman might have a strong powerful male alter who serves as a protector. The transition from one personality to another is called a Switch. Usually, the switch is instantaneous.
SYMPTOMS
1. Affects more women than men.
2. Patients suffer from other psychological disorders simultaneously.
3. Affected person adopts new identities.
4. Physical posture changes during switch.
5. Facial expressions changes.
6. Patterns of facial wrinkling changes.
7. Physical disability may emerge during switch.
CAUSE
These are two major theories of DID. One assumes that DID begin in childhood as a result of severe physical or Sexual Abuse. The abuse causes dissociation and the formation of alters as a way of escaping the trauma. There is indeed empirical evidence that child abuse is associated with the development of dissociative symptoms.
The other theory considers DID to be learned Social Role Enactment. The alters appear in adulthood, typically due to Suggestions by a therapist.
TREATMENT
For DID, the treatment is not so easy. With the person's very identity shattered into many elements, reintegrating the personality might seem hopeless. Fortunately, this is not always the case. Although no Controlled research has been reported on the effects of treatment, there are some documented successes of attempts to reintegrate identities through long-term Psychotherapy. The fundamental goal is to identify cues or triggers that provoke memories of trauma, dissociation, or both, and to neutralize them. More important, the patient must confront and relive the early trauma and gain control over the horrible events, at least as they recur in the patient's mind. Because the memory is unconscious, aspects of the experience are often not known to either the patient or the therapist until they emerge during treatment. Hypnosis is often used to access unconscious memories and bring various alters into awareness. Otherwise it’s a lifelong condition without treatment.
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REFERENCE
David H. Barlow, BOSTON UNIVERSITY
V. Mark Durand, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA- ST. PETERSBERG
2. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: 9TH EDITION
Davision G.C., Neale, J.M. and Kring, A.M.
3. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Allov. L.B.: Riskind, J.H. and Manos, M.J.
4. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MODERN LIFE. NY: Harper and Collins. 2000
Carson. R.C. and Butcher. N.J.