Desorden De Personalidad Multiple (En Inglés)

Dissociative Identity Disorder




Abnormal Psychology




Bibiana Zorrilla Sada











What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
Dissociative Identity Disorder has been defined in the DSM-IV-TR as:
The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states (Criterion A) that recurrently take control of behavior (Criterion B). There is an inability torecall important personal information, the extent which is to great to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness (Criterion C). The disturbance is not due to the direct psysiological effects of asubstance or a general medical condition (Criterion D). In children, the symptoms cannot be attributed to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play. (American Psychiatric Association 2000, p.526)
Thisdisorder, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is one that has been surrounded by controversy. As one of the dissociative disorders, Dissociative Identity Disorder is the most severe and chronic manifestation of dissociation. One of the first and most important symptoms is dissociative amnesia, which is an inability to recall important personal information. (Frequently Asked Questions)Amnesia, or time loss, will affect up to ninety percent of cases and fuge episodes or feelings of depersonalization will occur to more than fifty percent. (Cohen, Elin & Berzoff 1995) It is an asymmetrical amnesia, and given the fact that the individual will not actually remember, it can generally be identified by the information provided by others close to them. (American Psychiatric Association2000) There is a failure to put together different aspects of identity, memory and consciousness, including a loss of biographical memory; usually of an extended period of time in childhood or adolescence. (American Psychiatric Association 2000)
According to the American Psychiatric Association (2000) Dissociative Identity Disorder is three to nine time more likely to be present in womenthan in men, and women will tend to have an average of fifteen or more personalities while men average eight. It also states that each identity has its own continuing pattern of personal history, self-image and identity or name. The identities are commonly referred to as alters, alter-egos, personalities or personality states. The patients initially have two to four personalities and will develop upto 13 or 15 in the course of the treatment. (Frequently Asked Questions) There have been cases reported with up to more than one hundred personalities. There will usually be one primary or host personality which will have the person’s given name, this personality is not aware of the presence of the other alters, but other alters will usually know of its existence. (Frequently Asked Questions)According to the DSM-IV-TR this primary personality tends to be passive, dependent guilty and depressed, while the alternate personalities have more distinctive characteristics. More passive identities have less memory, while the more controlling or hostile identities have a more complete memory. (American Psychiatric Association 2000) This is also known as interidentity amnesia. (Kong, Allen &Glisky, 2008)
Dissociative Identity Disorder is learned at an early age and continued for many years, it is seen as a way of coping with overwhelming situations. (Kong, Allen & Glisky, 2008) This disorder is frequently linked to severe childhood trauma or abuse. (American Psychiatric Association 2000) The different personality states of the individual sometimes will play separate functions tocope with the person’s problems. (Frequently Asked Questions). Individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder may also present symptoms of Posttramatic Stress Disorder, self-mutilation and suicidal behavior (American Psychiatric Association 2000) and have been commonly associated with sleepwalking, anxiety, phobic symptoms, substance abuse and daytime hallucinations. (Cohen, Elin & Berzoff 1995)...