Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a highly controversial mental disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own unique set of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. While some psychologists argue that DID is not a real disorder and should be removed from the DSM, others believe that DID is a valid disorder that requires clinical attention. In this essay, I will argue that DID is a real disorder and should be kept in the DSM.
Firstly, DID is recognized as a valid diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in the DSM-5. The DSM is a widely used diagnostic manual for mental disorders, and its inclusion of DID as a valid diagnosis is a clear indication that DID is a legitimate mental disorder. The DSM-5 criteria for DID require that the individual exhibits the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states, along with the inability to recall personal information that is too
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For example, a study by Schmahl et al. (2019) found that individuals with DID exhibit reduced connectivity between brain regions associated with self-referential processing, as well as increased activity in brain regions associated with emotion processing. These findings suggest that DID is a distinct disorder that can be differentiated from other mental disorders.
Thirdly, the presence of dissociation, which is a core feature of DID, has been extensively studied and validated in the literature. Dissociation refers to the disconnection between thoughts, emotions, and memories, and it is often observed in individuals with a history of trauma or abuse. A study by Van der Hart et al. (2010) found that dissociative symptoms were significantly more prevalent in individuals with a history of childhood trauma, and that dissociation was a key factor in the development of
Jesus’ Son, written by Denis Johnson is composed of eleven short stories, which employ a sober narrator to recall his wild young adult life. The result is a book that not only thrills, but explores the absolute lows of life as well. The characters in Jesus’ Son are constructed by the narrator to amplify the traits he possesses, as the reader knows him only as Fuckhead. Furthermore, Jack Hotel’s character in “Out on Bail” is merely an alternate persona of the narrator and does not exist outside of the him. The text suggests Fuckhead suffers multiple symptoms associated with a dissociative disorder, such as dissociative identity disorder.
Multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder can be found on page 176. It is described as two or more separate identities that may not always be aware of each other’s thoughts, feelings, and
This paper summarizes the article, “A Longitudinal Naturalistic Study of Patients With Dissociative Disorders Treated by Community Clinicians” (Brand, McNary, Classen, Loewenstein, Myrick, Lanius & Pain, et al., 2009). Reviewing this article revealed DID presents numerous challenges for the practitioners who perform assessments for a clinical diagnosis. Most Professionals approach this disorder with caution because of it's interrelated problems, as well as the on going controversies surrounding DID. So, in order for this study to work effectively, there would need to be a wide variety of people who deal with this disorder. Patients would include people from different countries all ethnic back grounds, and a large scale of psychological doctors.
Van der Kolk (2014), explains that the human mind is ordinarily multiple, so we are all born with sub-personalities (parts), and in a non-traumatized person, they have a kind of value to them. They have talents and resources for us, but when someone is traumatized some of their parts can become frozen in time. Others take on a protective role that distorts their natural talents and becomes destructive and can sometimes trigger multiple personality disorder, which is now referred to as dissociative identity disorder (Van der Kolk, 2014). The definition of a part is a mental system that has a certain amount of independence inside us and a whole range of feelings, beliefs, and thoughts. Because of traumas, these parts can be forced out of their
Some scientist believe that DID does not exist. They have questions on the existence of DID for example, how come those who have had severe stress or trauma as a child have not been diagnosed of having DID and why only a few of those who suffer with DID have no history of trauma. Since there's no specific way to indicate if one has the disorder a lot of the psychiatrists have conducted a mental-health interview. Once they have been diagnosed there are different ways to get treatment like therapy, psychotherapy, and medications; because DID is similar to different disorders, such as anxiety and depression, most of the time they are being prescribed medications for those disorders. Those who have DID have a difficult time maintaining their job and sustaining their
Development of dissociative disorders in adulthood appears to be related to the intensity/frequency of dissociation during the actual the traumatic event(s) (Dissociation FAQ’s). Dissociation may become a defensive pattern that persists into adulthood and can result in a full-fledged disorder (D.I.D.). D.I.D. is understood to be a result of several factors; however, an individual that experiences recurrent episodes of abuse during childhood is more likely to dissociate and develop D.I.D. (D.I.D.). As many as 99% of individuals who develop this disorder have recognized personal histories of recurring, overpowering, and often life-threatening disturbances at a sensitive development state of childhood.
Writing characters with serious mental health conditions as antagonists is an incredibly prevalent trope in entertainment media. It is common to see antagonists and villains portrayed with mental health issues which further demonizes these conditions. An important example of this form of misrepresentation is in the case of dissociative identity disorder, or DID, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. There are many popular portrayals of DID in movies, television, and novels, but many fail to properly represent the condition. Movies like Fight Club (1999) and Split (2016) have warped the public perception of dissociative conditions and placed a negative lens upon them.
Oswald diagnoses Frankie with multiple personalities; also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder. Dissociative Identity Disorder, also referenced to as DID, is brought on by traumas that occur earlier in someone’s life. Dr. Oswald uses several different types of treatments to trigger memories of these events that caused her to develop the disorder. He begins with using different kinds of hallucinogens, to make her vulnerable enough to allow these personalities to come out. This system is a hit or miss, on which personality presents itself.
One of Freud’s theories is that the “Id – Ego combination dominates a person’s behavior until social awareness leads to the emergence of the superego, which recognizes that
The potential risk factors for dissociative identity disorder is any type of trauma or abuse experienced in the childhood stages. It would become twice as likely if the child’s mother experienced trauma within two years of the child’s birth. This disorder is also linked to child abuse. About 95% to 98% of the cases of this disorder has something to do with child abuse. In other cases, such as Billy Milligan’s case, some experienced having a close family member committing suicide.
Other specified dissociative disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, PTSD, psychotic disorders, substance/medication-induced disorder, personality disorder, conversion disorder (function neurological symptoms disorder), seizure disorder, and Factitious disorder and malingering. Aaron Stampler could not be diagnose with any of these differential diagnosis because dissociative Identity disorder is the only disorder in the DSM-5 where we see disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states. (American Psychiatric Association & American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p.
One of the most widely recognized depictions of a psychological disorder can be found in the 1999 film, Fight Club. The film, which follows the life of an unnamed protagonist and his displeasure with life, makes an attempt at portraying Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). This disorder is seen throughout the film in the main character, or should I say characters. The film centers on the narrator trapped in a material life, plagued by insomnia and the feelings that there is no escape. His condition worsens as he continues to try and defeat these feelings by seeing doctors and buying further into the materialistic culture that surrounds him.
Dissociative Identity Disorder is having two or more separate identities that may not generally know about one another's musings, sentiments, and conduct. The indications for dissociative identity disorder are the vicinity of two or more unmistakable identities or personality states, control of the individual's conduct repetitively taken by no less than two of these identities or personality states, and a powerlessness to review vital individual data. As mentioned some time recently, Batman and his modify inner self Bruce Wayne have two distinct identities. From viewing the movie, I have watches Batman being biting and impatient. On the other hand, Bruce Wayne was more emotionless and quiet.
Dissociative Identity Disorder, or better known as Multiple Personality disorder, is an extreme kind of dissociation where the affected individual creates distinct and different personalities in response to severe trauma or violently stressful situations. They remove themselves from any behaviors, memories, feelings and/or actions that would identify with the main personality, from the person that experienced the events. Each identity has its own name, gender, manner of speech and behavior as well as its own personal history. Causes Dissociation occurs due to an individual’s attempt at coping with a difficult situation, usually trauma. It is more commonly seen among young children whose sense of personality is still impressionable and can
Self-identity is defined as the recognition of one's potential and qualities as an individual, especially in relation to social context. In other words, self-understanding. Finding self-identity is more more difficult for some people than others. In the autobiography Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self by Rebecca Walker, the author reflects on her identity as a mixed raced individual which is illustrated through Walker’s reflections. People define themselves in many different ways.