Formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states (referred to as “alters”) that recurrently take control of a person’s behavior. It’s strongly linked to severe trauma, often in early childhood.
Key Points:
- Symptoms: Gaps in memory for personal history (e.g., “lost time”), distinct mannerisms or voices for different alters, and sudden shifts in attitude or preferences.
- Causes: Chronic childhood abuse, neglect, or repeated traumatic experiences.
- Controversy and Misconceptions: DID has been the subject of debate regarding diagnosis frequency and portrayal in media.
- Therapy Approach: Specialized psychotherapy focusing on trauma processing, building co-consciousness, and eventually integrating the alters if appropriate.
