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Dissociative Identity Disorder

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Dissociative Identity Disorder

Introduction

Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder can be a quite an undertaking.  Here we share information from comprehensive research we have done.  You will find definitions and symptoms common to survivors who experience dissociation, as well as answers to common questions we all encounter during our healing journey and other invaluable information.  We have also included some creative art and a video that helps with understanding dissociation and its affects on survivors of child abuse.  Under Info & Resources on the bottom sidebar button we include a glossary of terms often used when reading and researching material on this topic and it's related disorders as well as other resources such as books we have found helpful.

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Video - Dissociative Identity Disorder  (DID)

We hope that by watching this video, you gain an understanding of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). It may trigger those struggling with this disorder, but we feel that it is important to not only be aware of, but also educate the public that Dissociative Identity Disorder is a valid, reliable disorder, and not uncommon to survivors of child abuse. Other disorders often accompany DID, as you will see by watching the video.

 

Creative Expressions of DID



 

What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
 


 Dissociative Identity Disorder, as defined by the DSM-IV:

There are four diagnostic criteria:

  1. The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states.

  2. At least two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the person's behavior.

  3. The inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

  4. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior occurring from Alcohol Intoxication) or a general medical condition (e.g., temporal lobe epilepsy).

DID is the current name for Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), first used in DSM-IV. In addition to the name change, the criteria were increased by two items, items C and D. The term DID is felt to reflect more accurately the condition of an individual with two or more personality states. This change recognizes that MPD represents the failure to form one core personality rather than to simply create many personalities. Adapted from DSM-IV, p. 487.

Dissociative Identity Disorder - Common Symptoms

  • depression
  • mood swings
  • suicidal tendencies
  • sleep disorders (insomnia, night terrors, and sleep walking)
  • panic attacks and phobias (flashbacks, reactions to stimuli or "triggers")
  • alcohol and drug abuse
  • compulsions and rituals, psychotic-like symptoms (including auditory and visual hallucinations)
  • eating disorders
  • headaches
  • amnesias
  • time loss
  • trances
  • "out of body experiences"
  • tendency toward self-persecution, self-sabotage, and even violence (both self-inflicted and outwardly directed)
  • secrecy or amnesia of childhood events
  • denial
  • fear of touch
  • sexual aversion
  • agoraphobia
  • mood disorders
  • an unusual need to please
  • unusually sensitive to confrontation

Dissociative Identity Disorder - What Causes It?

Common Indicators of Dissociative Identity Disorder:

  • an innate ability to dissociate easily

  • repeated and prolonged episodes of severe physical or sexual abuse in childhood, generally believed to happen before the age of seven years old

  • lack of a supportive or comforting person(s) in the child's life who comforts or cares for the child

  • the child experiences trauma associated with emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or some combination of all

  • the child dissociates themselves from their trauma by creating separate identities or personality states. They create alters who suffer the abuse, while the primary identity "goes away" unaware of the unbearable experience. Dissociation, which is easy for a young child, becomes their primary defense

  • dissociation allows the child to displace the suffering onto another identity. Over time, he/she easily learns to create many more alters - keeping themself unaware and amnesiac of events

  • most children who have dissociative identity disorder are exceptionally intelligent and imaginative

The most common cause of children becoming dissociative to the point of creating different alters is

~ PROLONGED AND SEVERE CHILD ABUSE ~

 
 

   

Disclaimer: This site contains information to be used only for the purpose of support and general education. It should not be used for diagnosis and/or treatment of any physical or mental conditions. It is owned, designed and maintained by a healing survivor in recovery. The author of the general text is the owner and that general text remains the property of said owner. Other materials used on the site come from various authors and will have the author credited and those materials remain the property of said authors with copyright information included when and where it is available.  We assume no liability for the contents or effects of this site. Some of the content may be disturbing. Read at your own risk. If you believe you are suffering from a physical or mental condition seek help from a qualified professional physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist; a crisis center; or call 911.

Recommended Online Support Group
for those who have been diagnosed with DID
and are in treatment for healing with a professional,
and for those professionals who treat those with DID:

Multiple Paths To Healing - DID 

 Visit my community

 

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