Dissociative identity disorder is a mental health condition. Patients with DID have two or more unique identities. These kinds have control over their behavior at certain times. Each identity has a history, traits, loves, and dislikes. DID can create memory gaps as well as hallucinations.
Previously, multiple personality disorder or split personality disorder was used to describe dissociative identity disorder.
Dissociative identity disorder is a type of dissociative identity disorder. This illness, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is characterized by shifting between numerous personas. One or more voices in one's head may feel as if they are attempting to take control. These identities frequently have distinct names, traits, mannerisms, and voices. People with DID will have gaps in recalling everyday occurrences and personal information.
Dissociative amnesia. The main symptom is memory loss, which is more severe than normal forgetfulness; a medical condition can't explain that. You can't recall information about yourself, events, or people in your life, especially from a traumatic time. Dissociative amnesia can be specific to circumstances in a particular time, such as intense combat, or more rarely, can involve complete loss of memory about yourself. It may sometimes involve travel or confused wandering away from your life (dissociative fugue). An episode of amnesia usually occurs suddenly and may last minutes, hours, or rarely, months or years.
Dissociative identity disorder. Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by "switching" to alternate identities. You may feel the presence of two or more people talking or living inside your head, and you may feel like other identities possess you. Each identity may have a unique name, personal history, and characteristics, including noticeable differences in voice, gender, mannerisms, and even such physical qualities as the need for eyeglasses. There also are differences in how familiar each identity is with the others. People with dissociative identity disorder typically also have dissociative amnesia and often have dissociative fugue.
Dissociative disorders typically emerge as a response to trauma. Children subjected to long-term physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or, less frequently, a terrifying or extremely unpredictable home environment are more likely to develop the disorders. The stress of war or natural disasters can also cause dissociative disorders.
During childhood, your identity is still developing. As a result, a youngster is more able than an adult to step outside of oneself or herself and observe trauma as if it were occurring to someone else. A youngster who learns to detach to cope with a traumatic experience may use this coping method in the future in reaction to stressful situations.
Associated long-term effects of DID can include:
- More prevalent alcohol and drug abuse.
- Increased risk of suicide.
- Frequent self-injurious behavior.
- Impairment in relationships.
Effects include drug abuse, increased suicide risk, and bad relationships.
Medications for dissociative identity disorder are usually prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In some cases, antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of DID.
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 proper treatment. You may benefit from individual, group, or family therapy.
Therapy focuses on the following:
- Identifying and working through past trauma or abuse.
- Managing sudden behavioral changes.
- Merging separate identities into a single identity.