Something that seems to be confusing for a lot of people is that DID and Schizophrenia are not the same disorder. These disorders share similar symptoms sometimes, but they are completely different and both equally valid. This post is supported with several sources and they will be linked at the end of the article if you wish to do further research. It is important to note that I am not a mental health professional and I am simply sharing my understanding and personal opinion and experiences.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that is found in approximately 1% of the population. It is developed typically between 13 and 30 years of age but can develop later, especially in women. A person is more likely to develop schizophrenia if they have experiences abuse or trauma in their lifetime, but trauma is NOT needed for the condition to be developed. The main psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia include: hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and disordered behaviour. Other symptoms include: lack of motivation, functional decline, memory issues and problems with attention. Schizophrenia can be genetic, this means that if a relative has the condition then you ate more likely develop it.
Dissociative Identity Disorder is a dissociative disorder that is found in approximately 0.02% of the population. This disorder develops during childhood and is a defence mechanism for traumatic experiences. Trauma during childhood is necessary for DID to be developed and you can not have DID without it. Symptoms of DID include: Dissociation (I have a post about what this feels like and it will be linked below), Voices and images that aren't physically real but internally real, flashbacks, amnesia, 2 or more distinct personalities, depersonalisation, derealisation, blackouts, sudden mood swings, identity confusion and being unable to cope in everyday situations. Dissociative Identity Disorder is NOT generic.
The similarities that these disorders share are that they both involve hearing voices, hallucinations (needed in schizophrenia but occasionally part of DID), they are both mental illnesses, memory problems can be present, neither have a set 'cure', trauma may be present (needed in DID but common in Schizophrenia), and they both share the same stigma.
Stigma for these disorders typically revolves around people with these illnesses being violent or dangerous. The fact is that people with any mental health condition are much more likely to harm themselves than anyone else. Mental health is heavily stigmatised in the media and misinformation is often spread. The news like to focus on is a criminal has mental issues rater than the reasons behind why crimes where actually committed and this puts a bad light on everyone with mental difficulties. If someone has schizophrenia or DID they are no more or no less likely to commit a crime than anyone without the disorder.
While both conditions can seem similar at times, it is important to know that they are not the same!
I hope that this post was helpful and informative. All sources will be linked below :)
Jen xx
Sources:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dissociation-and-dissociative-disorders
https://au.reachout.com/articles/what-is-schizophrenia
https://www.sane.org/information-stories/facts-and-guides/schizophrenia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8FZJJaOc60
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxktavpRdzU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVLDWpQ__9U
https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/blog-home/dissociation
Comments