What Is Did (Disassociative Identity Disorder)

Earnesthub had requested a hub be written on this interesting topic as it was presented on BBC and a woman had gained notoriety on this unusual topic. If any of you remember the story of "Sybil" in which Sally Field played Shirley Ardell Mason pseudonym, "Sybil. You will begin to get the picture of what DID or "disassociative identity disorder is.

DID formerly known as multiple personality disorder is a condition in which a person takes on more then one personality, or distinct identity. Each of the individual personalities are very assertive to one another controlling the effected personalities behavior. Each individual personality has their own name, their own past, their own identity and their own self-image.

Referencing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition tex revision or (DSM-IV-TR) on mental disorders, it is noted that psychologists and psychiatrists debate its nature and or existence.

 DID "disassociative identity disorder" is a new name that characterizes the disruption of a person's identity that characterizes the disorder. Unlike "multiple personality disorder", a person is completely aware of one or more of their personalities or self-image while be completely unaware or diassociated from other aspects of it. It is the main feature of this disorder as it takes only two distinctive personalities to qualify DID , half of all patients have appr. 11 identities or less. In rare cases there have been patients who have over 100 different personalities. Alter personalities alternate and control the person's consciouness and behavior the party who is effected experiences lon gaps in memory that exceed the typical episodes of forgetting that occur in those who are not diagnosed with DID.

In many cases a primary personality exists, despite the other personalities that are lurking in the distance, The primary personality uses the name that is was born with and normally tends to be subdued,dependent, guilt-ridden and depressed.The alternate personalities have their own names and unique traits about each other. The alternate personalities are distinguished by mannerisms, likes and dislikes, expression, posture and body language. It is not uncommon for the other personalities to take on different genders, ages, sexual preferences, or nationalities. Normally it takes merely split seconds for the alter personality to replace another personality. The alter personalities are commonly triggered by some type of stressful event.

People with DID tend to be diagnosed with other severe disorders as well including depression, substance abuse, eating disorders amongst others. The degree of the condition can range from mild to severe and in some cases can lead to suicide attempts, violence, self-mutilation and severe drug abuse. If not treated by psycho-therapy this disorder can last a lifetime and for some it can also cause death.

 Causes leading up to DID are as follows

 *Physical or Sexual Abuse during childhood

* Lack of support or comfort to counteract abusive relative(s)

* Inability to disassociate more normally then others

* influnenced by other relatives with DID symptoms or disorders

Primary cause of DID is severe prolonged child abuse and trauma during childhood. It can be either physical, emotional or sexual abuse during that time, or a combination of all three.

 There are four major symptoms which are signs of DID being only a nurse I would recommend that if you know someone who may have these types of warning signs or symptoms always seek medical advice from a specialized doctor who is able to identify, distinguish and provide the proper treatment.

Amnesia: Remember what we discussed about gaps in memory? The DID person report that they cannot remember purchasing a certain item, finding notes written in different handwriting, or other unusual activity that is outside the norm.

Depersonalization: This symptom is simply explained as the party feels that his or her body is changing, is unreal, or is disappearing.

Derealization: Many parties do not recognize their relatives and the person percieves the environment as being artificial or not real. Parties may see walls , buildings, shapes, change in size, shape or color.

Identity Disturbances: Persons who suffer from DID normally have a main personality that psychiatrists refer to as a "host". It is not normally the person's original personality but one who suffered childhood trauma and seeks help.Did patients are more normally then not frightened by the experiences that they are having which can include using awareness for days or even hours, meeting people who claim to know them or feeling "out of body" or as if they were dissolving.

 Diagnosing DID "disassociatve identity disorder" is very complicated as some of the symptoms will overlap with other mental disorder symptoms. Misdiagnosing is common and can include diagnosing patients as being depressed, schizophrenia,borderline personality disorder, panic disorder amongst other disorders.

Due to the disassociative order being so frightening many patients end up in the emergency room, or doctor's offices believing that they are go insane.

When a doctor is evaluating a patient for DID, they will first rule out physical conditions that sometimes produce some of the symptoms that we discussed. If they patient is determined to be physically healthy, the doctor will proceed to rule of psychotic disturbances including schizophrenia. If the doctor suspects DID " disassociative identity disorder", they can use a screening test called "Disassociative Experiences Scale" or the shorter term is simply (DES). If the patient scores high on the test can be further evaluated with the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS) or the Structured Clinical Interview for Disassociative Disorders (SCID-D). 

 Being treated by a therapist is highly recommended as many are trained and specialize in diassociation. It is important that the therapist has been specialized as the patients personality 'switches can become confusing or shocking. Many patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder have very hostile or suicidal alter personalities. PsychoTherapy for DID patients normally have several stages

Stage 1: Uncovering or mapping the alter personality

Stage2: Treating the traumatic memories and bring the personalities together or simply called "fusing."

Stage3: Consolidation or combining all of the personalities and treating the patients newly combined personality.

Once this process has been completed then the second phase of treatment begins with family therapy which helps the famil cope and deal with DID , how to understand it and the changes that occur during personality reintegration.

Some Doctors will treat their patient with prescribed medications such as tranquilizers or anti-depressants because their other personalities may have mood or anxiety disorders. Many therapist however tend to keep the medications to a minimum as some patients have another personality who can become addicted to alcohol or drugs which are dangerous and can be deadly if not used properly.

Lastly Hypnosis which not always necessary can assist with "fusing" the multi personalities as part of the patients personality integration disorder.

The easiest way of prevention is to have it treated as early as possible and requires intervention in abusive families, if left untreated can can cause years and years of disorders and possibly suicide. There has not been any long term studies on DID so the long term outcome of DID currently does not exist. Although treatment does take several years therapists believe it is ultimately effective on the patient. Stress or different types of substance abuse can cause a relapse at anytime.

For further information on DID you may contact the following:

www.issd.org International Society for the Study of Disassociation

www.nami.org/helpline/did.html National Alliance For The Mentally ill

www.encyclopedia.com

For a better understanding of what "DID" is formerly known as "multiple personality disorder, read or rent the movie entitled "Sybil" written in 1976 this is based on a true story of Shirley Ardell Mason whose childhood upbringing suffered extreme abuse from the hands of her mother and during extensive therapy Dr. Cornelia Wilbur had found at least 16 different personalities.

I also hope that the videos below will provide you of a clearer understanding warning , the first video could be disturbing.

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