Dissociative Identity Disorder Research Paper

Ashley Oja
HSP3U
Mrs. Pino
May 28, 2015
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder, is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities or personality states are present in, and alternately take control of, an individual. It is characterized by a disruption of and discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control and behaviours. People affected by this disorder experience memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. The dissociative aspect is thought to be a sort of coping mechanism where the person dissociates himself from a situation or experience…show more content…
Research indicates that dissociative identity disorder is likely a psychological response to interpersonal and environmental stresses, particularly during early childhood years when emotional neglect or abuse may interfere with personality development. It has been observed that 99% of people who have dissociative disorders have recognized personal histories of recurring and often life-threatening disturbances at a sensitive developmental stage of childhood. Studies have shown that in families where parents are frightening and unpredictable, the children may become dissociative.
The diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder takes time as it is estimated that individuals with this disorder have spent seven years in the mental health system prior to an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-5 provides the following criteria to diagnose dissociative identity disorder: 1. Two or more distinct identities or personality states are present, each with its own relatively enduring pattern or perceiving, relating to, ad thinking about the environment and…show more content…
Although there is no cure for this disorder, there are treatment plans available to help those affected by this disorder to be able to live and function in everyday life. Through my research, I have learned that dissociative identity disorder affects 0.01% to 1% of the general population but as much as 7% of the population may have undiagnosed dissociative identity disorder. I think that living with dissociative identity disorder would have to be among the most difficult things to live with, as it is possible that one of the personalities may even try to kill you and because there is no full cure.

Works Cited
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"Seven Counties Services Inc." Seven Counties Services Inc. Web. 4 June 2015. <http://www.sevencounties.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=41589&cn=8>

"Dissociative Identity Disorder." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 4 June 2015.