DID stands for dissociative identity disorder, and use to be called multiple personality disorder. This is a diagnosis that develops from extreme childhood trauma before the age of 10yrs old. This condition effects about 1-3% of the population making it as common as bulimia and schizophrenia.
According to the DSM-5, the diagnostic criteria for DID is as follows:
"A. Disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states, which may be described in some cultures as an experience of possession. The disruption of marked discontinuity in sense of self and sense of agency, accompanied by related alterations in affect, behavior, consciousness, memory, perception, cognition, and/or sensory-motor functioning. These signs and symptoms may be observed by others or reported by the individual.
B. Recurrent gaps in the recall of everyday events, important personal information, and/or traumatic events that are inconsistent with ordinary forgetting.
C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. The disturbance is not a normal part of a broadly accepted cultural or religious practice. Note: In children, the symptoms are not better explained by imaginary playmates or other fantasy play.
E. The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during alcohol intoxication) or another medical condition (e.g., complex partial seizures)." [3]:292 Read more: http://traumadissociation.com/dissociativeidentitydisorder
Dissociative identity disorder is shown in the media as something to be afraid of and that is dangerous. Movies such as 'Split', are very damaging for people with DID as the disorder is shown in such a bad light.
Not all media is bad for people wit this condition as more and more DID sufferers are using youtube and instagram to help break the stigma around their disorder. These videos and posts can be both educational for those without the disorder, and helpful for those also with the disorder.
Some YouTubers with DID will be linked below:
DisociaDID
Meeting All of Me
MULTIPLICITY and Me
Team Pinata
The Entropy System
Acrylic and Aether
BoBo and Co
April Hijacked
Axolotls in a trenchcoat
DID is a coping mechanism for those who have experienced extreme childhood trauma that their mind could not cope with. While the mind was still developing, trauma developed and prevents the development of a single identity. This causes the minds identity to be split into several different identities or alters. Alter is short for Alternate state of consciousness and is exactly as the name suggests.
Alters can take control of the body for periods of time and have thrown memories, experiences, preferences, opinions, beliefs and behaviours. Alters can come in many shapes and sizes, not all have to be human. I have another post that discusses the types of alters that someone could have when they have DID. https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/blog-home/types-of-alters
Dissociation is another part of DID and can be compared to being in a daydream like state. This can last for as little as a few seconds or as long as days or weeks at times. Derealisation and depersonalisation are common when dissociation is occurring and can make the sufferer feel disconnected from reality.
People with DID may have varying degrees of memory loss and not recall much of their childhood. This can be for their own protection and prevent a constant state of distress. This is a trauma disorder and trauma memories may be protected by other alters so that they are not recalled on a daily basis.
Here are some links to resources talking more about DID so that you can do your own research into this disorder:
More posts by me about DID:
Thank you so much for reading, I hope that this helped further your understanding about DID. You can follow me on Instagram to keep up with when I make more posts (@diaryofapsycho1).
I hope you have an amazing day and keep smiling.
Jen xx
