In some cases, Multiple Personality Disorder has been described as “an experience of possession” (Gabbard 450). Multiple Personality Disorder, also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), consists of the altering between two or more identities (Pais). Patients with this condition have been affected in many ways, and it has caused some to commit a crime. Despite of their disorder, most are held accountable for their actions. Multiple Personality Disorder undoubtedly has a major impact on the life of the patient due to the altering personalities and behavioral changes. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a severe condition in which the individual is switched to a different personality (Pais). The different personality could have other names,
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On the night of the fire, Sam recalls feeling light headed while he was laying on his bed (1). He also remembers his heart beginning to pulse faster (1). Vonachen remembers pouring gasoline in his house, which he got from the garage (1). Even though he does not remember lighting it, according to Heidy, a licensed mental health counselor, Sam Vonachen lit the gasoline with a black lighter, and then left the house (1). Heidy had an interview with Vonachen (1). During that interview, he told her that the next thing he remembers was “lying on a sidewalk across from Hutchinson High School” (Green 1). Vonachen could not remember everything because of his condition, Dissociative Identity Disorder (Alan 1). Heidy testified that Vonachen neither recognized where he was, or had memory of the fire he caused (Green 1). Something that Vonachen did remember, was an urgency he felt to get home (1). Heidy characterized a Dissociative Identity Disorder by the disruption in the functions of the patient’s consciousness, memory, identity, or perceptions of their environment (1). According to Heidy’s statement, Sam Vonachen’s case can clearly be identified as an outcome of having Dissociative Identity …show more content…
Orndorff, shot and killed her husband (Nakic and Thomas 146-148). She also suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder, it is considered that a different identity may have been a major factor to her husband’s death (146-148). After “suspecting that her husband was being unfaithful”, Ms. Orndorff decided she wanted a divorce, and she let her mother-in-law know that she would she her husband dead before he left her for another woman (146-148). On March 20, 2000, Ms. Orndorff called 911, and she said that she had shot her husband in self defense (146-148). The police found Mr. Orndorff on the kitchen floor shot five times (146-148). During Ms. Orndorff’s trial, the judge ordered a competency evaluation because he doubted that she could properly participate (146-148). The evaluation showed that Ms. Orndorff was not competent, and she was hospitalized (146-148). She was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder during the hospitalization, where various professionals witnessed Ms. Orndorff’s manifesting personalities (146-148). After Ms. Orndorff had been hospitalized for eight months, she was allowed to present her DID diagnosis to the jury as evidence (147-148). Her behavior was observed and described by the court as alternating between normal and bizarre (146-148). Ms. Orndorff’s case is an example of how an individual's everyday life can be impacted by a Dissociative Identity Disorder, and cause them to commit a
On the night of the fire, Sam recalls feeling light headed while he was laying on his bed (1). He also remembers his heart beginning to pulse faster (1). Vonachen remembers pouring gasoline in his house, which he got from the garage (1). Even though he does not remember lighting it, according to Heidy, a licensed mental health counselor, Sam Vonachen lit the gasoline with a black lighter, and then left the house (1). Heidy had an interview with Vonachen (1). During that interview, he told her that the next thing he remembers was “lying on a sidewalk across from Hutchinson High School” (Green 1). Vonachen could not remember everything because of his condition, Dissociative Identity Disorder (Alan 1). Heidy testified that Vonachen neither recognized where he was, or had memory of the fire he caused (Green 1). Something that Vonachen did remember, was an urgency he felt to get home (1). Heidy characterized a Dissociative Identity Disorder by the disruption in the functions of the patient’s consciousness, memory, identity, or perceptions of their environment (1). According to Heidy’s statement, Sam Vonachen’s case can clearly be identified as an outcome of having Dissociative Identity …show more content…
Orndorff, shot and killed her husband (Nakic and Thomas 146-148). She also suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder, it is considered that a different identity may have been a major factor to her husband’s death (146-148). After “suspecting that her husband was being unfaithful”, Ms. Orndorff decided she wanted a divorce, and she let her mother-in-law know that she would she her husband dead before he left her for another woman (146-148). On March 20, 2000, Ms. Orndorff called 911, and she said that she had shot her husband in self defense (146-148). The police found Mr. Orndorff on the kitchen floor shot five times (146-148). During Ms. Orndorff’s trial, the judge ordered a competency evaluation because he doubted that she could properly participate (146-148). The evaluation showed that Ms. Orndorff was not competent, and she was hospitalized (146-148). She was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder during the hospitalization, where various professionals witnessed Ms. Orndorff’s manifesting personalities (146-148). After Ms. Orndorff had been hospitalized for eight months, she was allowed to present her DID diagnosis to the jury as evidence (147-148). Her behavior was observed and described by the court as alternating between normal and bizarre (146-148). Ms. Orndorff’s case is an example of how an individual's everyday life can be impacted by a Dissociative Identity Disorder, and cause them to commit a