Dissociative Identity Therapy

Diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID) accounts for an estimated 1% of the general population and up to 20% of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric populations (Brand & Loewenstein, 2010). DID can also be triggered and manifested in individuals which is why trauma is especially prevalent in individuals diagnosed with DID; about 71% have experienced childhood physical abuse and 74% sexual abuse (Foote, Smolin, Kaplan, Legatt, & Lipschitz, 2006). Due to trauma being so prevalent in DID many individuals with dissociative disorders suffer from a multitude of psychiatric issues that may include

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the main treatments for dissociative identity disorder are psychotherapies including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2018). Dr. Wilber took an empathetic stance when treating her and supported her. This empathy and support lead Sybil to trust Dr. Wilber which overall lead to more effective treatment. Hypnosis was done to treat

The phenomenal ability of humans is that we are able to change aspects of our personality by role-playing. Personality shifting is common and something we do everyday from having to go to work and be the boss to coming home and being part of the family. This is one reason why skeptics doubt Dissociative Identity Disorder as a real psychological disorder. Another reason for the skepticism is due to its short history which date back to 1791. The first official report of Dissociative Identity

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a condition where there are two or more distinct identities that are and will become present in an individual. These personalities can and will eventually take control of the individual, many people consider having dissociative identity disorder an experience of being possessed. The individual can and most likely will experience memory loss that is more extensive than ordinary everyday forgetfulness (Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder). Around two percent of people will experience dissociative disorder, women are more likely than men are to be diagnosed with DID. "Almost half of adults in the United States experience at least one depersonalization/derealization episode in their lives, with only 2% meeting the full criteria for chronic episodes” (Dissociative Disorders).

Dissociative identity disorder is a condition of mystery that is not clearly understood because of its way of presenting in a patient. In this research article there will be in depth analysis of the condition that is so publically recognized by Hollywood but at times ignored by medical professionals. There will analysis of demographics and who is affected more; male or female will also be looked at closely. There will also be a review of what factors predispose individuals to Dissociative Identity Disorder, and how it is diagnosed. There will also be information of how the disorder is treated via therapy and medication. The usual signs and symptoms will also be discussed and

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a severe psychological disorder characterized by at least two or more distinct personalities or different identities. The different personality states are said to occur spontaneously and involuntarily and function more or less independently of each other. The person suffering from the disorder also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. Many people who experience this type of behavior are unaware that they have more than one personality because they can not remember anything that is happening while one of the mind alters are

According to “Healthy Place”, 89% of people who suffer from Dissociative identity disorder (or Multiple Personality Disorder) are misdiagnosed (B.J.). Therefore, Dissociative identity disorder is labeled as “The Hidden Epidemic,” because it is never diagnosed as it really is, but hidden by other illnesses (Slack pg. 43). Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is often triggered with traumatic events like experiencing severe abuse. People with Dissociative identity disorder can come to a realization that they are diagnosed if they start having symptoms such as self harm, mood swings etc. Some people think it is some other disorder or disease, but majority do not know what DID is or of they are diagnosed with it. Although DID is incurable, there

Today psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is the mainstay of treatment for dissociative identity disorder. It is used in a way that helps individuals improve their relationship with others, preventing crises, and experience feelings they are not comfortable with having. Another common treatment that is used today is Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), this treatment method integrates traumatic memories with the patient's own resources. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is also effective. Although medications can be helpful in managing emotional symptoms that sometimes occur. Medications are prescribed in order to avoid making the individual feel re-traumatized by feeling controlled. Medications such as antidepressants are often used to address the other conditions an individual may be facing, for example impulse control problems, anxiety, anger and depression. (Gillig, 2009).

To begin to understand what happens within a person with dissociative identity disorder, it is important to first explain what the disorder is exactly. As defined by a forensic psychiatry and forensic psychology book: “Dissociative identity disorder (DID or multiple personality disorder) represents a ‘disruption of identity’ in which ‘two or more distinct personality states’ (also referred to as ‘alters’) occur. Further characteristics include: ‘marked discontinuity in the sense of self and sense of agency, accompanied by related alterations in affect, behavior, consciousness, memory, perception, cognition, and/or sensory-motor functioning.’ There may be gaps in recall of every day events, important personal information, and/or traumatic events inconsistent with ‘normal forgetting’”

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mysterious condition that is misunderstood in its way of presentation in a patient. In this research article, there will be in depth analysis of the mental health condition that is so publicly recognized by Hollywood, but often ignored by medical professionals. There will also be an analysis of demographics, and who is affected more; males or females. There will also be a review of what factors predispose individuals to DID, and how it is diagnosed. There will also be information about how the disorder is treated, which includes therapy and medication. The usual signs and symptoms as well as medical and surgical interventions will be discussed. Lastly, this paper will review complications,

Dissociation is defined as “a mental process, which produces a lack of connection in a person 's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity” (Grohol, 2016). The Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more separate, distinct identities or personality states are present in an individual. In other words, a person has, what seems like, actual distinct and contrasting people in their head and these “alters” are able to take control of an individual’s mind and body at any time and act as a completely different individual. Each alter is capable of having its own set of likes, dislikes, talents, memories, and personal experiences. The alters’ usually have a specific name, age, gender and possibly race. According to Psychology Today (2014), the alters’ characteristics are typically very different from the primary identity, including their history, self-image, vocabulary, knowledge and predominant mood. The primary identity tends to be passive, dependent, guilty and depressed. A person with DID experiences extensive memory loss which is typically more extensive than what would be experienced by ordinary forgetfulness. For instance, if an alter were to take over, once the individual is back in control of his or her own body, they typically report not remembering anything that was done or said. Some individuals report feeling “familiar” with the conversations or experiences that were had by the alter, but as if they had only overheard

Psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and non-verbal therapy seem to be the most effective treatment methods for DID (Kaplan par. 11-12). No immediate results are expected from these treatments. for the management of dissociative identity disorder is a long-term course of action. Psychotherapy is when the patient and psychiatrist talk through the patient’s thoughts and emotions without the. use of medicine. This method could go along with hypnotherapy, which is used to retrieve memories that may be in the subconscious of the patient or in the memory of the alters within the patient. Nonverbal therapy consists of art and play therapy, which is more of an indirect, nonetheless creative and helpful, way of expressing the patient’s feelings. The underlying purpose of each treatment method listed is to find out what traumatic event took place in the. patient’s childhood to spawn the alters. Needless to say that this part of therapy is the hardest. Once the patient comes to terms with what happened, one can no longer rely on the alters to protect him/her from the past nor the emotions accompanied by. those memories. What exactly happens to the alters once the patient’s therapy is complete? The different personalities do not go away, they are simply “integrated into the host personality” (Prerost par. 14). The host adopts certain characteristics from his/her alters and uses those traits to protect him/herself without dissociating. This way, the host becomes one with the alters without losing time or control of one’s body. According to Kaplan, “60% of patients who undergo treatment maintain stable integration” (Kaplan par.

a.Psychotherapy is the most common treatment for dissociative disorders. Talking with a therapist can help a person understand the causes of the condition, and

Treatments include medication, supportive psychotherapy and occasionally ECT. Medications include lithium, anticonvulsant drugs (carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproate (Depakote), gabapentin (Neurontin) and lamotrigine Lamictal), antidepressants (such as bupropion (Wellbutrin)or sertraline (Zoloft)), neuroleptics (e.g. haloperidol) and benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam) Treatment choices depend on the

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