Dissociative Identity Disorder and Abuse Essay - 1059 Words

Dissociative Identity Disorder and Abuse The condition once known as multiple personality disorder (MPD) is a very real psychological phenomenon that until recently was mis-understood and often mis-diagnosed. Dissociative identity disorder, DID, as we now call it, is a mental illness where a persons thoughts, feelings, and memories are scattered throughout two or more separate personalities within the victims mind (Appelbaum 107). In 1973 perhaps the worlds most famous psychiatric patient ever, Sybil brought attention to what was until then a rare diagnoses. Sybil was ritually abused as a child and was later found to possess sixteen separate personalities, including women with English accents and even two little boys†¦show more content†¦Since 1973 numerous investigators have confirmed the high incidence of physical and sexual abuse in multiple personality. In 100 cases Putnam found an 83% incidence of sexual abuse, 75% incidence of physical abuse, 61% incidence of extreme neglect or abandonment and an overall 97 % incidence of any type of trauma (Putnam 53). It wasnt until the 1900s that these events were linked to DID (Appelbaum 110). A fictional novel, presented as a documentary, The Three Faces of Eve (1956) described a woman who was believed to have three personalities. This was the first multiple personality book to catch the attention of the public. It was later made into a movie which various sources date as being released in 1956 or 1957. The movie had a profound effect on the public, convincing many that multiple personalities were both possible and common. A second book, also presented as a documentary, described a woman who was believed to be possessed by 16 personalities. This was Sybil (1973), which also came out as a made for TV movie in 1976 (Schreiber 49). Those therapists who accept DID as a valid, common diagnosis believe that it is induced by extreme, repeated, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse during early childhood. DID has been diagnosed for over a century, often amid great controversy, but it wasnt until 1980 that there was clear definition.Show MoreRelatedDissociative Identity Disorder And Psychological Abuse Essay964 Words   |  4 Pagesbrain trauma or psychological abuse to an individual. For example, when a child is shy and terrified of society because they were taught that they were never going to be good enough, they will create a better version of them. This shy and terrified child would create an identity that is strong and outgoing. This identity that the child conjured up would become a part of them for the rest of their life. Secondary identity would only appear when provoked. This identity becomes like the child’s superheroRead MoreMultiple Identity Disorder Essay1062 Words   |  5 PagesAngela suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. According to article â€Å"Dissociative Identity Disorder†, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a mental disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states. The symptoms will be explained, including the history of this disorder. It will also explore the causes, the diagnostic process, and even treatment. Symptoms Dissociative Identity Disorder has subtle symptoms thatRead MoreDissociative Identity Disorder (Did) Is A Psychological1005 Words   |  5 PagesDissociative identity disorder (DID) is a psychological condition in which a person will create one or more alternate identities. DID (formerly known as multiple personality disorder) is just one of three dissociative disorders. This disorder is set apart by the way the identities â€Å"switch† from one to another. Patients who suffer from dissociative identity disorder can often lead normal lives when diagnosed properly and treated accordingly; sometimes, they cannot. People suffering from dissociativeRead MoreDissociative Identity Disorder Essay632 Words   |  3 PagesDissociative Identity Disorder Sexual molestation, beating, neglect, burning, and verbal abuse. All of these horrible happenings are believed to be linked to a condition known as Multiple personality disorder (MPD). Multiple personality disorder, also known as dissociative identity disorder, is a mental illness in which a person has two or more identities or personalities. Single personalities randomly take control of the individuals behavior. Usually, the sufferer gives the personalities theirRead MoreDissociative Identity Disorder ( Mpd )1170 Words   |  5 PagesDissociative Identity Disorder, commonly referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, has been one of the more controversial diagnoses in psychology and psychiatry. On one side of the debate, many psychologists and psychiatrists believe the disorder to be an actual phenomenon that occurs in individuals that have suffered through some traumatic experience. On the other side of the debate, however, are the many psychologists and psychiatrists that belie ve the disorder is simply the result of a therapist’sRead MoreOutline for Dissociative Disorder Essays859 Words   |  4 PagesDissociative Disorders 1.What are Dissociative Disorders? a.Conditions that involve disruptions or breakdowns of memory, awareness, identity and/or perception. b.People with dissociative disorders chronically escape their reality in involuntary, unhealthy ways ranging from suppressing memories to assuming alternate identities.    2.The three types of Dissociative Disorders a.Dissociative Amnesia b.Dissociative Identity Disorder c.Dissociative Fugue    3.Signs and Symptoms a.SymptomsRead MoreDifferent Perspectives On Dissociative Identity Disorder1710 Words   |  7 Pageson life, sometimes even leading to Dissociative Identity Disorder. Even though Dissociative Identity Disorder has a place in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the legitimacy of the psychiatric disorder is still a very much a controversial issue. In these two articles, â€Å"Multiple Personality -- Is It Mental Disorder, Myth, or Metaphor?† published in the Huffington Post website by Frances(2014) and Dimensions of â€Å"Multiple Personality Disorder† by Murray(1994) published by theRead MoreDissociative Identity Disorder ( Mpd ) Essay1570 Words   |  7 Pages Dissociative identity disorder (DID) or Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a mental illness where an individual expresses multiple personalities that may or may not be aware of each other. In ancient times, near the middle ages, DID was thought to be due to posse ssion due to the fact mental illnesses back then had a supernatural theory attached to them. However, the DSM-5 has cleared up that theory and describes the actual symptoms and theories that appear within an individualRead MoreDissociative Identity Disorder : Sybil And Primal Fear1477 Words   |  6 PagesRachel Milbourn Dr. Ozegovic Abnormal Psychology 210 7 October 2015 Dissociative Identity Disorder: Sybil and Primal Fear In the films â€Å"Sybil,† and â€Å"Primal Fear† both characters Sybil, and Aaron seem to be suffering from dissociative identity disorder. According to Comer (2014), someone with dissociative identity disorder, or also known as multiple personality disorder establishes two or more recognizable personalities, often called alternate or sub personalities. Each personality has their ownRead More Multiple Personality Disorder (Dissociative Identity Disorder)735 Words   |  3 Pages Dissociative Identity Disorder, commonly referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, exists as a bizarre mental disorder in which a person acquires two or more distinct identities or personality states. The disorder received much attention through such accounts as Sybil and The Three Faces of Eve. Multiple Personality Disorder, caused from severe and inhuman sexual, physical, and mental abuse, affects the individuals consciousness and in turn creates altar selves. Categorized