Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

I received a request to talk about DID, something I’ve never spoken about before simply because I’ve never seen a case in Guyana. However, of course, I haven’t seen everyone in Guyana so I’m sure there are some who may be able to benefit from having knowledge of this disorder.

Dissociative Identity Disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder, is a mental health disorder that is diagnosed when one person has at least two distinct and relatively continuous personality states. This means that the individual believes there are multiple personalities or multiple people within his/her body.

I believe DID is one of the most- if not the most- controversial mental health disorders for a number of reasons; unable to conclusively pinpoint a cause as well as definitive ‘proof’ of the symptoms being the principal reasons. In the past, the average number of personalities within an individual with DID was two to three but this has recently increased to an average of sixteen.

For DID to be diagnosed, one has to ensure that the symptoms are not due to other possible mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or drug-induced psychosis. There must be memory lapses as well as loss of time and consciousness that are also not caused by the aforementioned illnesses. Religious practises and imaginative play must also be ruled out.

DID is typically diagnosed in more females than males and a lot less in children. If symptoms are to be shown in children, it’s usually at about age three or above. Like any other illness, only a mental health professional can make an official diagnosis. Individuals who have been diagnosed report a wide range of personalities and individual traits within those personalities. Some have reported that these separate identities within them possess different ages, gender, religion and some even speak different languages.

They have different memories and have had different experiences throughout their existence. Their level of physical and academic function can also change -advancing or diminishing.

The main and initial personality is referred to as the ‘host personality’ while the others simply take over and are typically known as ‘alters’. The host personality characteristically tends to be more passive and is the one afflicted with any other mental health disorders that DID may bring forth. The alters are typically more extroverted and are less likely to experience symptoms of mental illness. Many report not having control of this take over, although research suggests that it’s usually stress related. Others also report having been unaware of the alters that have been present to others around them. While many alters are just regular people, there have been reports of alters being historical figures, celebrities or even animals.

While a root cause has yet to be determined, researchers believe that the onset of DID may be due to childhood trauma such as abuse, genetic factors, mental or physical health illness, disturbed or altered sleep or inappropriate psychotherapeutic techniques such as hypnosis. Severe physical, sexual and psychological abuse seems to be the most reported risk factor for DID. Professionals believe that the alters are created as a coping mechanism in an attempt to remove the trauma from consciousness and memory.

Treatment for DID is typically a combination of supportive care and psychotherapy. Medication may be given but this is mainly to subdue potential symptoms for any of the co-occurring illnesses that may be present. DID has the most co-occurring mental health illnesses than any other diagnosis which can include anxiety, depression, PTSD, substances abuse or self-harm behaviours.

Phase orientated psychotherapy has been shown to reduce the amount of alters that one may experience. This is due to the fact that the therapist must be aware and know who the host personality is and who may not always be present during sessions. It becomes more difficult if certain alters do not react well to the therapy. Creating and integrating new responses and coping mechanisms for the host personality as well as analysing the alters, attempting to integrate them into one shows to be the most effective during therapy.

The link between symptoms and the portrayal of DID in the media is another reason why the illness is so controversial. For example, in India, the media reports that individuals tend to switch alters only after a period of sleep and therefore, the majority of those afflicted in India only change alters after sleep. However, the most shown reason for this change (as shown by those afflicted all over the world) has been stress.

While DID is vastly controversial, the belief of the afflicted’s genuine suffering and chaotic life is not. If you feel as though you are experiencing symptoms of DID, please reach out to your nearest health centre.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at:
Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896
Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

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