Foote B, Park J. Dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia: differential diagnosis and theoretical issues. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2008;10(3):217–222.
What I have come to understand is that many people tend to either mix up schizophrenia with DID, or even think they are both one and the same, just different terms being used. What many people do not know is that DID is a trauma-based disorder, while schizophrenia is a genetically based psychotic disorder. There are, however, a variety of factors both disorders have in common, such as hearing voices potentially, for example. This article does and excellent job at explaining the similarities and differences of the two disorders mentioned.
Memory and Awareness
Nissen MJ, Ross JL, Willingham DB, et al. Memory and awareness in a patient with multiple personality disorder. Brain Cogn. 1988;8:17–134.
This article mainly talks about case study conducted on a patient with DID/MPD. Results suggest that each of the personalities are not aware of one another. It mentions the different personalities, describes them and the tests conducted while each of the "Alters" were present. The authors suggest, that depending on the personality traits of each of those "alters", information given may or may not have been iatrogenic (information suggested by therapist accepted and interpreted by the patient and seen as own memory). The article does not explain the disorder itself too closely and immediately goes into the case study itself, which for a psychologist, is not a problem, but without having a background in psychology, a lot of the vocabulary used may not be easy to understand for everyone. However, what this text does very well is describing the process of the study conducted as well speaking about awareness and memory within a body diagnosed with said disorder.
This article mainly talks about case study conducted on a patient with DID/MPD. Results suggest that each of the personalities are not aware of one another. It mentions the different personalities, describes them and the tests conducted while each of the "Alters" were present. The authors suggest, that depending on the personality traits of each of those "alters", information given may or may not have been iatrogenic (information suggested by therapist accepted and interpreted by the patient and seen as own memory). The article does not explain the disorder itself too closely and immediately goes into the case study itself, which for a psychologist, is not a problem, but without having a background in psychology, a lot of the vocabulary used may not be easy to understand for everyone. However, what this text does very well is describing the process of the study conducted as well speaking about awareness and memory within a body diagnosed with said disorder.
Controversy in diagnosis, meaning of "Alters"
Gillig, Paulette Marie. "Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Controversial Diagnosis." Psychiatry (Edgmont). Matrix Medical Communications, 2009. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.
What makes this source stand out is that it does not only explain the disorder itself, but also describes its history in detail and mentions the first diagnosis officially being made official in 1988. Another section goes into detail about alternate personalities in a multiple personality patient, also known as "Alters".
Understanding how this concept works is very important in order to understand how the "switch" between personalities work. This article is very reliable, it has 43 sources integrated into its writing and upon further examination the majority of these are academic, peer reviewed journal articles.
What makes this source stand out is that it does not only explain the disorder itself, but also describes its history in detail and mentions the first diagnosis officially being made official in 1988. Another section goes into detail about alternate personalities in a multiple personality patient, also known as "Alters".
Understanding how this concept works is very important in order to understand how the "switch" between personalities work. This article is very reliable, it has 43 sources integrated into its writing and upon further examination the majority of these are academic, peer reviewed journal articles.
Disorganized Attachment and the Orbifrontal Cortex as the Basis for the Development of DID
"Boston University Arts & Sciences Writing Program." Disorganized Attachment and the Orbitofrontal Cortex as the Basis for the Development of Dissociative Identity Disorder » Writing Program » Boston University. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
This article talks about the biological aspect and possible causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder. It mentions how the orbitofrontal cortex, the “senior executive of the emotional brain”, with its complex workings can "illuminate the degree to which it can be seen as the crucial element in DID". This article is great for anyone who is interested in the medical side of mental disorder. It has a large variety of credible sources woven into the text itself which makes it more credible and reliable as well.
This article talks about the biological aspect and possible causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder. It mentions how the orbitofrontal cortex, the “senior executive of the emotional brain”, with its complex workings can "illuminate the degree to which it can be seen as the crucial element in DID". This article is great for anyone who is interested in the medical side of mental disorder. It has a large variety of credible sources woven into the text itself which makes it more credible and reliable as well.
"44 Personalities, but the Artist Shines"
"JUDY CASTELLI does the work of 44 people. That is because the artist, sculptor, singer, songwriter, author, musician, mental-health advocate, inventor, entrepreneur and teacher with a multiple-personality disorder diagnosis says she is 44 people.
There's Little Judy Girl, who childishly laughs, giggles and scrunches her face; Gravelly Voice, a raspy-voiced man; Squeaky, who can barely articulate her thoughts; the One Who Walks in Darkness, who blindly trips over furniture, and Big Judy, who's competent, funny and self-empowered."
The quote above is an excerpt from an article by Robbie Woliver, published in the New York Times in 2000. It tells the story of Judy Castelli, a woman who was diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder after a long period of depression and multiple suicide attempts. The text is written in a way that makes one understand how such a disorder can impact an individual's life as well as how the individual can turn it around and make the most of it.
One very interesting and important aspect in this interview with Ms. Castelli is when she mentions that the first therapist she went to see at one point shut her out and stopped returning her calls because she did not know how to deal with her patient back then. Even though discouraged, she started a second attempt and this time found another therapist who then properly was able to diagnose her with D.I.D. and help her come to terms with her condition.
This shows that many people were not informed enough, if at all, about this disorder. Even though a few decades have gone by since then, this is still found to be true in many cases. This article shows with the right amount of knowledge as well as the right mindset one can conquer any mental illness and does not need to be afraid of it as long as there is a network of professionals who can help.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/26/nyregion/44-personalities-but-the-artist-shines.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/26/nyregion/44-personalities-but-the-artist-shines.html
Two famous cases
There is considerable controversy about the nature, and even the existence, of dissociative identity disorder. One cause for the skepticism is the alarming increase in reports of the disorder over the last several decades. Eugene Levitt, a psychologist at the Indiana University School of Medicine, noted in an article published in Insight on the News (1993) that "In 1952 there was no listing for [DID] in the DSM, and there were only a handful of cases in the country. In 1980, the disorder [then known as multiple personality disorder] got its official listing in the DSM, and suddenly thousands of cases are springing up everywhere."
This source fist explains the disorder itself and then gives some valuable and interesting information about two famous cases if Dissociative Identity Disorder: Eve, and Sibyl. Both women later were portrayed in both literature and film and the author suggests that due to this disorder's rise in attention, as well as getting its own listing in the updated DSM in 1980, more cases erupted all over the world. This source is great in terms of informing the audience about famous cases they may have even heard of themselves before, as well as touching the subject of controversy and provoking thought through that aspect.
Prevalence
This diagram shows statistics as found in the DSM-5 which was published in 2013, as well as additional information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (see previous post for more information). What is interesting about this visual is that contrary to popular belief, Multiple Personality Disorder is more common than OCD in the Northern American population (DSM-5).
This shows that more people are affected by this than many people would imagine. Giving people this kind of information does not only open their eyes to its prevalence but hopefully also gives them the urge to do research and get more information.
This shows that more people are affected by this than many people would imagine. Giving people this kind of information does not only open their eyes to its prevalence but hopefully also gives them the urge to do research and get more information.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
This site, published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness is a true "treasure chest" of information about Dissociative Identity Disorder. It includes facts about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and related conditions (co-morbidity with another disorder such as anxiety and/or depression). One very interesting aspect about this source is that it also involves a section revolving around finding support as someone diagnosed with this disorder and also offering support as a bystander. This is an area not every site about a mental disorder includes. One finds syptoms, treatments and other aspects very often, but the aspect of support groups or supporting ones diagnosed with a certain disorder are rarely included. That was what made this source stand out to me among various others.
Link to this page HERE.
Podcast: "How DID works"
This podcast is set up like a dialogue, almost like an interview. The two men discuss how this disorder works, explained in a way so everyone can understand, even when not employed in the psychological field. The two individuals speaking also touch on the aspect of DID's history (previously being called Multiple Personality Disorder), and since when it has been called Dissociative Identity Disorder. The expert speaking explains the concept behind the disorder as well as causes tied to developing it. Another great point about this source is them talking about the controversy behind the diagnosis as well as exlpaining why this state should be consider an official disorder. One downside of this source may be that at times the speakers get a little off topic but they pick up on the topic again very quickly whenever it occurs.
Link to the podcast
Signs of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Steinberg, M. Interviewer's Guide to the SCID-D, American Psychiatric Press, 1994.
This diagram does an excellent job at emphasizing that not all signs of having this disorder are neccessarily "visible". In fact, some of the symptoms that might occur in D.I.D. patients might be so hard to tell that at first sight, they may seem ordinary, well put together and in a stable state of mind. However, looking at the purple area of this diagram shows many aspects that can occur in individuals who would not have Multiple Personality Disorder, but in combination with the symptoms in the yellow field, it becomes clearer. This might a be big reason for D.I.D. being highly underdiagnosed. Would you associate someone who shows symptoms like mod swings, substance abuse or obsessive-compulsive symptoms with Dissociative Identity Disorder at a first glance? I know I would not.
"What is Dissociative Identity Disorder? Multiple Personalities"
"What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder? Multiple Personalities | Kati Morton Treatment Trauma Did." YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
This youtube video is very informative for anyone who wants to "get their feet wet" on this topic. The speaker explains the main characteristics of this disorder very well. Even though she is not a professional in this specific field of research, she seems to be informed very well and all the information given by her is accurate. Citing the list of symptoms as stated by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) helped the speaker build credibility early on and showed her audience she is knowledgeable about this topic. Even though she may not be touching every single aspect of possible causes and treatment areas, this is a great video to start with when looking for information about this disorder.
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