Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a condition in which a person has more than one distinct identity or personality state that repeatedly asserts control over the affected person's behaviour. These parts can have different and distinct: names, parts, identities, and self-image. DID stems from extreme, prolonged and frequent trauma induced dissociation during childhood , and is a complex psychophysiological process where the mind separates or compartmentalizes certain memories or thoughts from normal consciousness. Causing awareness of surroundings to be disrupted or eliminated, consequently episodes of dissociation can not only significantly alter sense of self and availability of information and memories, but can interfere with everyday
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For many people, the dissociative defence mechanism of switching between parts is big part of their lives, as well as the amnesia that often comes with it. This amnesia occurs as a result of different parts remembering different aspects of autobiographical information, depending on which part was “out” at the time. One prominent example of the big impact of switching and amnesia is Karen Overhill, who is documented discussing with her psychiatrist Richard Baer M.D. in detail about having periods of time which cannot be accounted for. Overhill and her family had gone on a trip to Las Vegas where one night she found out she’d been gambling one night when she suddenly found herself in a casino with more money than she had previously had. Certainly, any time lost from switching to a different identity part makes a big impact on the individual and those around …show more content…
This can be seen to profoundly impact people’s lives, with psychological symptoms of the disorder including depersonalisation derealisation and identity confusion as well as different identity traits and comorbid disorders providing extreme discomfort and confusion. To help with these however, many physicians has devised treatments to ease symptoms and achieve integration, where the alternate parts fuse to become one self. Professionally recommended is the ISSTD’s Treatment Guidelines, and with their thorough three stage treatment can help individuals find
For many people, the dissociative defence mechanism of switching between parts is big part of their lives, as well as the amnesia that often comes with it. This amnesia occurs as a result of different parts remembering different aspects of autobiographical information, depending on which part was “out” at the time. One prominent example of the big impact of switching and amnesia is Karen Overhill, who is documented discussing with her psychiatrist Richard Baer M.D. in detail about having periods of time which cannot be accounted for. Overhill and her family had gone on a trip to Las Vegas where one night she found out she’d been gambling one night when she suddenly found herself in a casino with more money than she had previously had. Certainly, any time lost from switching to a different identity part makes a big impact on the individual and those around …show more content…
This can be seen to profoundly impact people’s lives, with psychological symptoms of the disorder including depersonalisation derealisation and identity confusion as well as different identity traits and comorbid disorders providing extreme discomfort and confusion. To help with these however, many physicians has devised treatments to ease symptoms and achieve integration, where the alternate parts fuse to become one self. Professionally recommended is the ISSTD’s Treatment Guidelines, and with their thorough three stage treatment can help individuals find