What is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is what people commonly

refer to as multiple personality disorder. The key diagnostic
criteria for DID is the presence of two or more distinct personality
states or expressions.

• The identities are distinct in that they often have a unique tone of
voice, engage in different physical gestures (including gait), and
have different personalities—ranging anywhere from cooperative
and sweet to defiant and aggressive. Additionally, the identities
can be of varying ages and gender, have different memories, and
sensory-motor functioning.
• The second main diagnostic criteria for DID is that there must be
a gap in the recall of events, information, or trauma due to the
switching of personalities. These gaps are more excessive than
typical forgetting one may experience due to lack of attention.
These personalities must not be a secondary effect of a
substance or medical condition.

• While personalities can present at any time, there is generally a

dominant or primary personality that is present the majority of the
time. From there, an individual may have several
subpersonalities. Although it is hard to identify how many
subpersonalities an individual may have at one time, it is believed
that there are on average 15 subpersonalities for women and 8 for
men (APA, 2000).
• The presentation of switching between personalities varies among
individuals and can range from merely appearing to fall asleep, to
very dramatic, involving excessive bodily movements. While often
sudden and unexpected, switching is generally precipitated by a
significant stressor, as the subpersonality best equipped to handle
the current stressor will present.

• The relationship between subpersonalities varies between

individuals, with some individuals reporting knowledge of other
subpersonalities while others have a one-way amnesic
relationship with subpersonalities, meaning they are not aware of
other personalities. These individuals will experience episodes of
“amnesia” when the primary personality is not present.
History of DID
• The first documented account of a person possessing “multiple
personalities,” now known as dissociative identity disorder (DID),
was written about a 20-year-old German woman who began
speaking perfect French and spoke German with a French accent
in 1791.

• She had memory of everything she did while she was the “French
Woman;” however, she denied all knowledge of the “French
Woman” while carrying the personality of the German.
• The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM), defines dissociative identity disorder as “the
presence of two or more distinct personality states or an
experience of possession. The overtness or covertness of these
personality states, however, varies as a function of psychological
motivation, current level of stress, culture, internal conflicts and
dynamics, and emotional resilience
TREATMENT
• 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.
PREVENTION OF DID-IS IT POSSIBLE?
• There’s no way to prevent DID. But identifying the signs as early
in life as possible and seeking treatment can help you manage
symptoms. Parents, caregivers and teachers should watch for
signs in young children. Treatment soon after episodes of abuse
or trauma may prevent DID from progressing.

• Treatment can also help identify triggers that cause personality or

identity changes. Common triggers include stress or substance
abuse. Managing stress and avoiding drugs and alcohol may help
reduce the frequency of different alters controlling your behavior.