The Secret Window and Dissociative Identity Disorder The Secret Window is a film released in 2004 directed by David Koepp and written by Stephen King. The main issue in this film is one of a psychological basis which keeps the audience on their toes and maybe even slightly confused until all of the pieces fit together at the end of the film. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the psychological issue that plagues the main character, Mort Rainey (portrayed by Johnny Depp), and identify any biases or misinformation presented in the film. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a psychological issue that is quite debilitating to the affected individual. Symptoms of this disorder often mimic those of other physical and mental disorders such as seizure disorder, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (“Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)”, 2012). The distinguishing symptom of Dissociative Identity Disorder, however, is the presence of two or more distinct identities that alternately take control of the individual and this symptom is the main basis and plot of The Secret Window. In addition, the person is plagued by memory losses that cannot be explained by ordinary forgetfulness and may even find items that he or she doesn’t remember buying. (“Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)”, 2014). Also, the individual may experience unexplained changes in eating
Psychotic Disorders are a group of mental illnesses that drastically affect the mind. Psychotic Disorders are the cause of abnormal thinking and perceptions. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), people with severe psychotic disorders lose touch with reality. Although Psychotic Disorders sound harsh and irreversible, they can be treated with therapy and medication. In my research, I focused on a particular Psychotic Disorder called Dissociative Identity Disorder. While researching Dissociative Identity Disorder, I mainly focused on the historical analysis, how it is represented in the media and literature, and first-hand reports of individuals living with Dissociative Identity Disorder.
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 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
Dissociative Identity Disorder is a mental disorder where an individual experiences two or more distinct personalities. When an individual is diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, one personality has dominant control of an individual. This personality controls how a person may act and how they live everyday life. A person diagnosed with this disease may or may not be aware of their alternate personalities. Each personality is contrasting of each other with distinctive likes and dislikes. They can differ in eyesight, prescriptions, language, and education levels. Many people who suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder have experienced severe childhood trauma. Many Psychologist and others argue
Dissociative Identity Disorder, commonly referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, has been one of the more controversial diagnoses in psychology and psychiatry. On one side of the debate, many psychologists and psychiatrists believe the disorder to be an actual phenomenon that occurs in individuals that have suffered through some traumatic experience. On the other side of the debate, however, are the many psychologists and psychiatrists that believe the disorder is simply the result of a therapist’s suggestion and guidance. The present paper, therefore, aims to look into this debate. In particular, the paper discusses the criteria in which one is diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, explores the history of the disorder, and presents both sides of the controversy of the disorder.
National Alliance on Mental Illness says that there are many dissociative disorders some are dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, depersonalization disorder and dissociative identity disorder that was called multiple personality disorder (NAMI, 2016). This paper will look at dissociative identity disorder and what brain abnormalities occur. According to Mayo Clinic, dissociative identity disorder (DID) is written off as the swapping of alternate identities in one person. The person may feel like there are one or more other people living inside them or talking to them. They may have their own names and different personality accompanied by different voices and even gender. People with DID usually have dissociative fugue and amnesia as
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
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
According to the (American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders pg 519) Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states that recurrently take control of the individual’s behaviour
Dissociative Identity Disorder is a mental disorder where people display two or more diverse personalities. Another symptom of this includes memory loss or forgetting of events that exceeds everyday memory slips. It has been found that one of the main causes of this disorder is trauma, specifically childhood trauma. In fact, “about 90% of cases there is a history of abuse in childhood, while other cases are linked to experiences of war or health problems during childhood” (Dissociative Identity Disorder, 2018.). However, Dissociative Identity Disorder has also been linked to hypnosis. It is thought that this method of therapy, while eradicating the original problem, causes this personality disorder. Therefore, “it should be verified that
Dissociative Identity Disorder formerly known as multiple personality disorder is a disorder that researchers and doctors have shown immense interest in over the past century. Even though DID has evident symptoms and causes, some professionals in the healthcare system doubt that this disorder is real or it even exist. Dissociation is something that happens to every one of us; most of the time this is like day dreaming or being lost in thought while doing something like a project. However, DID is a more complicated form of dissociation. In this state, there is a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity or perception of the environment (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV). When this
Originally known as Multiple Personality Disorder, or MPD, DID is the most rare of the dissociative disorders. Like other dissociative disorders, DID is characterized by abrupt dissociations, or breaks in consciousness. Where it differs from other dissociative disorders is in those breaks. Rather than simply losing identity, awareness and even memory, another identity, a completely different personality, takes the place of the other. DID diagnosis requires that there be at least two personalities, but there are often more. There is a main identity known as the “core”, that doesn’t know about the alternate identities, but is aware of gaps in memory and time. Each alternate identity, too, has its own memories and behaviors that are completely different, separate and, importantly, hidden from the core identity. As with other dissociative disorders, DID switching is usually triggered suddenly by psychological stress. Unlike other dissociative disorders, DID is not
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