Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition. People with DID have two or more
separate identities. These personalities control their behavior at different times. . DID can cause gaps
in memory and other problems. Each identity has its own personal history, traits, likes and dislikes.
DID can lead to gaps in memory and hallucinations (believing something is real when it
isn’t).Dissociative identity disorder used to be called multiple personality disorder or split personality
disorder.DID is one of several dissociative disorders. These disorders affect a person’s ability to
connect with reality. Other dissociative disorders include:

Depersonalized or derealization disorder, which causes a feeling of detachment from your actions.

Dissociative amnesia, or problems remembering information about yourself.

DID is very rare. The disorder affects between 0.01 and 1% of the population. It can occur at any age.
Women are more likely than men to have DID.

The causes of DID is usually the result of sexual or physical abuse during childhood. Sometimes it
develops in response to a natural disaster or other traumatic events like combat. The disorder is a
way for someone to distance or detach themselves from trauma.

A person with DID has two or more distinct identities. The “core” identity is the person’s usual
personality. “Alters” are the person’s alternate personalities. Some people with DID have up to 100
alters.

Alters tend to be very different from one another. The identities might have different genders,
ethnicities, interests and ways of interacting with their environments.Other common signs and
symptoms of DID can include:Anxiety,Delusions,Depression,Disorientation,Drug or alcohol
abuse,Memory loss,Suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

People who have experienced physical and sexual abuse in childhood are at increased risk of
dissociative identity disorder. The vast majority of people who develop dissociative disorders have
experienced repetitive, overwhelming trauma in childhood. Among people with dissociative identity
disorder in the United States, Canada and Europe, about 90 percent had been the victims of
childhood abuse and neglect.Suicide attempts and other self-injurious behavior are common among
people with dissociative identity disorder. More than 70 percent of outpatients with dissociative
identity disorder have attempted suicide.

There isn’t a single test that can diagnose DID. A healthcare provider will review your symptoms and
your personal health history. To be diagnosed with DID, a person must:

Display two or more personalities (alters) that disrupt the person’s identity, behavior, awareness,
memory, perception, cognition, or senses.

Have gaps in their memory of personal information and everyday events, as well as past traumatic
events.

Have symptoms that cause significant distress in working and social environments.

Experience disturbances that cannot be considered part of any accepted cultural or religious
practices. For example, in children when imaginary friends or playing pretend cannot explain the
symptoms.last
Have amnesia or exhibit chaotic behavior that is not caused by alcohol or drug use

Symptoms of DID often show up in childhood, between the ages of 5 and 10. But parents, teachers
or healthcare providers may miss the signs. DID might be confused with other behavioral or learning
problems common in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For this
reason, DID usually isn’t diagnosed until adulthood.

Some medications may help with certain symptoms of DID, such as depression or anxiety. But the
most effective treatment is psychotherapy. A healthcare provider with specialized training in mental
health disorders, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, can guide you toward the right treatment.
You may benefit from individual, group or family therapy.Therapy focuses on:Identifying and
working through past trauma or abuse,Managing sudden behavioral changes,Merging separate
identities into a single identity. Some healthcare providers may recommend hypnotherapy in
combination with psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a form of guided meditation. It may help people
recover suppressed memories.

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