Dissociative identity disorder

(DID), also known as multiple

personality disorder, is a
severe form of dissociation.
The person experiences more
than one distinctive identity, at
least two of these
personalities assert
themselves to control their
behaviour. Lack of connection
in their thoughts, memories,
feelings, actions, or sense of
identity occurs. Majority of
patients have experienced
trauma in the form of sexual or
physical abuse. As a defence
mechanism - the person
disconnects himself from any
situation they perceive to be
too overwhelming.
There is greater chance of developing DID, If
one of the close biological relatives suffers from
it.

SYMPTOMS:

Depression
Mood swings
Sleep disorders
Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
Compulsions and rituals
Psychotic-like symptoms,
hallucinations
Eating disorders
Amnesia
Depersonalisation
Identity alteration

Approximately 1% of the general population

have DID.
7% of the population is assumed to be
undiagnosed.

Biological discoveries:
Neuroimaging has located irregularities in the
orbitofrontal cortex (emotion and decision making),
hippocampus(memory) and amygdala (regulates
emotion)
Different identities provoke different cardiovascular
responses and cerebral activation patterns to
traumatic memories.

Treatment:

Psychotherapy; main type of treatment.

Aims to help patients overcome their traumas
and improve their social relationships.
Hypnosis and eye movement desensitization
and reprocessing are some of the techniques
used.
Medication; not recommended as patients
may feel like being controlled therefore
traumatized again. Can be used to decrease
the level of symptoms like depression and
anxiety.
If psychotherapy and medications do not
help, electroconvulsive therapy can be
used.

References
Reinders, A. A. T., Nijenhuis, E. R., Quak, J., Korf, J., Haaksma, J., Paans,
Willemsen, A. T. M., & den Boer, J. A. (2006). Psychobiological
characteristics of dissociative identity disorder: A symptom provocation
study. Biological psychiatry, 60(7), 730-740.
Grohol, J. M. (2013). Dissociative Identity Disorder Treatment
Also Known as Multiple Personality Disorder. Retrieved December 11, 2014,
from http://www.psychcentral.com