Dissociative Identity Disorder, previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a psychological condition where one person’s identity is split into two or more separate personalities (Psychology Today). The condition has long been debated throughout history on its validity, as some scientists argue the condition itself may not be existent, instead hypothesizing that it is a side effect of therapist-patient probing. Despite the controversy, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) still holds a place in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and as the number of cases of DID, so does the need for recognition of the condition and future treatment plans. The textbook definition of Dissociative Identity Disorder
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MacIntosh (2015) creates an individual case study with a patient she refers to as Emily. In her research, MacIntosh (2015) attempts to integrate the Trauma Model and multiple psychoanalytic approaches to treat Emily. The trauma model focuses on the failure of normal function as a result of early extreme abuse, while the psychoanalytic model focuses on the idea of overlapping multi-selves and that dissociation occurs as a defense mechanism against past memories of abuse. Emily, a forty-eight year old female, came to MacIntosh (2015) already split into multiple identities with different ages and names. Stress was proven as a trigger for Emily, as she left her job because it constantly induced her traumatic memories. Emily grew up in a family of poverty and was forced to take over all the household responsibilities. She was the only girl of six children and was sexually abused by her father and brothers. She recalled that becoming dissociated helped her cope with the abuse. Her first therapist, who had passed, used a trauma model. Due to this, Emily was able to break down her different personalities into a child personality, a rebel and a spiritual self. However, Emily was becoming too compartmentalized and MacIntosh (2015) decided to attempt a psychoanalytic approach. Through integrating the psychoanalytic approach with the trauma model, MacIntosh created a steady stream of treatment for Emily (MacIntosh, 2015). This case study on Emily solidified the relationship between trauma and the occurrence of DID as a coping mechanism and initiated an in-depth treatment method for those who suffer from
MacIntosh (2015) creates an individual case study with a patient she refers to as Emily. In her research, MacIntosh (2015) attempts to integrate the Trauma Model and multiple psychoanalytic approaches to treat Emily. The trauma model focuses on the failure of normal function as a result of early extreme abuse, while the psychoanalytic model focuses on the idea of overlapping multi-selves and that dissociation occurs as a defense mechanism against past memories of abuse. Emily, a forty-eight year old female, came to MacIntosh (2015) already split into multiple identities with different ages and names. Stress was proven as a trigger for Emily, as she left her job because it constantly induced her traumatic memories. Emily grew up in a family of poverty and was forced to take over all the household responsibilities. She was the only girl of six children and was sexually abused by her father and brothers. She recalled that becoming dissociated helped her cope with the abuse. Her first therapist, who had passed, used a trauma model. Due to this, Emily was able to break down her different personalities into a child personality, a rebel and a spiritual self. However, Emily was becoming too compartmentalized and MacIntosh (2015) decided to attempt a psychoanalytic approach. Through integrating the psychoanalytic approach with the trauma model, MacIntosh created a steady stream of treatment for Emily (MacIntosh, 2015). This case study on Emily solidified the relationship between trauma and the occurrence of DID as a coping mechanism and initiated an in-depth treatment method for those who suffer from