Dissociative Identity Disorder

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What is it?

It is natural for a someone to dissociate (see dissociative disorders for definition) in order to avoid or escape from a traumatic event – it is a survival instinct. However, if a someone, particularly children, experiences events that cause prolonged dissociation they may find it hard to control.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is one of the most extreme and complex dissociative conditions. It is also known as multiple personality disorder, and as this name implies it is when the person believes there are separate individuals with separate personalities inside them. We all act differently in different situations, depending on who we are with and what impression we wish to convey of ourselves – often this is an unconscious change, but with DID the person may not even be aware of the existence of the other personalities.

How common is it?

In a study of psychiatric inpatients it was estimated that 5% had a high likelihood of developing DID.

What age range does it affect?

As with all dissociative disorders it is rare for them to develop early in life, but the causes often occur in childhood.

Other general Information

The defining feature of the condition is severe identity alteration. Someone with DID experiences these shifts of identity as separate personalities. Each identity may assume control of behaviour and thoughts at different times. Each has a distinctive pattern of thinking and relating to the world. Severe amnesia means that one identity may have no awareness of what happens when another identify is in control.

Symptoms

Internal voices and dialogue
Severe identity confusion
Severe amnesia – not knowing where the person learnt something, or how they got to a certain place
Not being able to recognise themselves in the mirror
Writing in different handwriting
Referring to themselves as ‘we’

Regular Causes

Severe and prolonged abuse
Large traumatic event in childhood

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