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An Introduction To Dissociative Identity Disorder

© Pamela Perez

What is Dissociative Identity Disorder? How does this disorder occur? What causes it? In this article we'd like to address some of these questions.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), is one of the five dissociative disorders identified by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV, 1994).

Dissociation occurs when there is a disruption of the normal processes of consciousness, perception, memory, and identity that define a person's individual self. These individuals have the ability to mentally isolate and separate themselves from painful memories and traumas they have experienced. While minor forms of dissociation, such as daydreaming, are common and considered normal for all of us to some degree, DID is a severe form of dissociation. Those with DID tend to compartmentalize their memories, emotions, and coping responses into separate personality states, referred to as alter personalities. Dissociation produces a lack of connection in the individual's thoughts, feelings, memories, and even identity. During a traumatic experience, dissociating from whatever circumstances the person (usually a child) might be in provides a temporary mental escape from the pain of the trauma, which often results in a memory gap, as well (Sidran Foundation, 1994). The number of alters within an individual with this disorder often correlates to the severity of the abuse. Alter personalities may or may not be aware of each other. They may be of different ages, genders, faiths, professions, or even have different IQs, brain waves, or cognitive and physical abilities. Each may hold banks of different memories, have different beliefs, ambitions and outlooks, and present entirely different physical and psychological aspects from the "host" personality (Mayer, 1988). Many of those with DID are able, at least outwardly, to function in a way that few would suspect what is happening within them internally. Most "multiples" are so cut off from their own past memories and emotions that even they are often unable to connect or make sense of their responses and reactions to everyday situations. Often this is because of the dissociative barriers that remain in place, which serve as protective devices from their past experiences. Traumatic memories have been sealed off so that they are unable to invade the consciousness of the person who functions as the presenting personality. Often, however, troubling dreams, depression, anxiety, time loss, and other vague feelings of something not being "right" remain and are a source of distress to the person with DID. These seemingly unrelated "symptoms" are what usually prompts the individual to seek help from a doctor or therapist. Unfortunately, coming to a clear diagnosis can be a long-term and difficult process, but until this occurs, treatment for the underlying symptoms usually proves to be unsuccessful or only provide temporary relief, at best.

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