Clara Norton Fowler's Dissociative Identity Disorder (1906)

Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by the presence of "...at least two separate ego states, or alters, different modes of being and feeling and acting that exist independently of each other, coming forth and being in control at different times" (Davison and Neale 180). "Each personality is fully integrated and a complex

Dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a mental illness that is greatly misunderstood, much like many other mental illnesses. Nicholas Spanos, Professor of Psychology, hypothesized Multiple Personality Disorder as a defense against childhood trauma that creates “dissociation” or a split mental state. The trauma sustained during childhood is so substantial, that the individual creates different identities to cope with it (Spanos, 1994). The disorder first showed up in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1978 in the DSM-III, but the name was changed to Dissociative Identity Disorder in the DSM-IV (Dunn, 1992).

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a psychological condition in which a person will create one or more alternate identities. DID (formerly known as multiple personality disorder) is just one of three dissociative disorders. This disorder is set apart by the way the identities “switch” from one to another. Patients who suffer from dissociative identity disorder can often lead normal lives when diagnosed properly and treated accordingly; sometimes, they cannot. People suffering from dissociative identity disorder often have similar causes, symptoms, and treatments.

In chapter 15 of Exploring Psychology, the author discuss the basics of psychological disorders. Within this assignment, the psychological disorder of my choosing is Dissociative Identity Disorder. The commonality of the disorder is rare. Although we’ve disassociated ourselves in some form or the other with our ability to daydream, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is more severe and is usually linked to trauma. Formerly the disorder was known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Individuals who suffer from this disorder usually have more than one aspect of themselves or personalities, whom he or she is completely unaware of. Sufferers of the disorder have to deal with a variety of symptoms such as memory loss, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, black-outs, impulsiveness, and perception of being detached from the self. The severity of the trauma is usually extreme, repetitive, and long-term. The individual may have an extensive history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.

Dissociative identity disorder is called a multiple personality disorder up until 1994 when they changed the name to give us a better understanding of the condition. Some people believe that patients with DID can become easily hypnotized and their symptoms are iatrogenic, "meaning they have arisen in response to therapists' suggestions. Brain imaging studies, however, have corroborated identity transitions in some patients." Usually a primary identity will carry the individual's name and is passive, dependent, guilty, and depressed. When an

In 1994 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) changed the name of the disorder from multiple personality disorder to dissociative identity disorder. Psychiatrists wanted to emphasize the fact that the disorder is not really made up of many personalities living in one body, but rather of a failure to integrate various aspects of identity into a unified personality (www.mentalhelp.net). Simply put, individuals who suffer from this condition have only parts of personalities. Instead of any one complete identity.

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a mental disorder. It’s with a person having one or more personalities or identities that are distinctly different. These states alternately show in a person's behavior, accompanied by memory impairment for important information not explained by ordinary forgetfulness. These symptoms are not accounted for by substance abuse, seizures, or other medical conditions, nor by imaginative play in children. Dissociative symptoms range from common lapses in attention, becoming distracted by something else, and daydreaming, to pathological dissociative disorders. Symptoms vary over time.

“Dissociative identity disorder (DID), which was formerly known as multiple personality disorder (MPD), is a disorder in which an individual has the presence of two or more identities or personality states” (Pais 2009, pg.1). Throughout this paper the reader will be provided with information regarding Dissociative Identity Disorder; a disorder that is truly as unique, and complicated as the human mind. Reading this paper will help the audience grasp a better understanding of how and why such a complicated disorder can occur, by focusing on topics such as; prevalence, controversial issues, symptoms, side-effects and treatment options.

The arguable claim that I am using in this paper is whether or not Dissociative Identity Disorder is an actual disorder, or if it is an extreme bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. I will be using three main points to prove that this disorder is real. One being comparing people who are suffering from bipolar illness and people with dissociative identity disorder, and sharing their differences and ways to tell them apart. I will also be doing this with schizophrenia, which will be another main point. Finally, I will use the information many different scientists have gathered to prove the realness of this disorder.

“Dissociative Identity Disorder is defined as a dissociative disorder in which a person has two or more distinct, or alter, personalities” (Nevid, Rathus, and Greene 572). Dissociative Identity Disorder is formally known as Multiple Personality Disorder. A person who has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder has two or more personalities that are within one person. Each personality has its own specific qualities, memories, mannerisms, and sometimes different speaking voice (Nevid, Rathus, and Greene 201). Some people’s multiple personalities are aware of each other and in other people, the personalities are not aware of the others. There may be one dominant personality in a person but this is not always the case (Nevid, Rathus, and Greene 202).

Previously called Multiple Personality Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder occurs when multiple, distinct identities control a single person’s behavior. These identities frequently inhibit the body. Once they leave, though, there are no memories left of the actions that partook while the other identities were in control. Through the years, the report of Dissociative Identity Disorder has increased. Nevertheless, this mental disease continues to raise skepticism.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID), also known as multiple personality disorder (MPD), is still known today as one of the most controversial psychiatric diagnoses (Priya & Siva, 2013). It indicates the existence of two or more identities or different personalities that repeatedly assumes control over the behavior of the person affected. In the majority of cases, dissociative identity disorder appears along with other symptoms, in which many times has been misdiagnosed (Ringrose, 2011). Repetitive childhood abuses are considered as the main cause of dissociative identity disorder (Fraser, 2014). The division of two or more identities can be understood as

Imagine waking up in a new house, town, city, even state and not knowing how you got there. Now add onto that thought of forgetting almost a year of your life because someone else, or something, has taken over your body. That is just a look into dissociative disorders in general. Dissociative Disorders are ‘extreme distortions in perception and memory” (Terwilliger 2013). Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), or previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is often the most misunderstood dissociative disorder of them all. It has always been somewhat of a mystery. Seeing videos of the disorder can really give you an insight on what happens with the person who suffer from it. Almost everyone in the

Dissociative identity disorder is increasingly understood as a complex and chronic posttraumatic psychopathology closely related to severe, particularly early, child abuse (Waseem, 2014). The dominant or the host’s personality breaks off sub categorically and begins to develop with different and distinct memories, behavioral pattern, historical and familial background and cognitive function. Sufferers usually develop different identities (commonly known as alter). Each alter have its own distinct memories, personal experiences, likes, dislikes, talent and self-image including their own name. The transference of the identity to the next one is called “switching” and it is usually triggered by a negative or stressful event or experience although, at times, occurring without noticeable indication (Comer, 2007).

This research paper aims to explore the mental disease known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder. I explore the meaning, symptoms, and effects of DID. My research describes those diagnosed with DID and the probable reasons of why they have the disorder. This study also explains the many different treatments and the effects those treatments might have on a person that has the disorder. I include a research study done on someone diagnosed with DID, the method used to help treat her, and the results of her treatment. Lastly, I state my opinion on DID and the methods I believe with help people prevent, treat, and cope with