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Dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder or simply split personality disorder, is an extremely serious and uncomfortable type of dissociation. It is founded on the disconnect between thinking, action, feeling, memory, or even a wrong sense of identity.
It is typically assumed that it is the result of extremely traumatic early childhood experiences, which can range from overly physical to repeated sexual or emotional abuse. I
t is believed to be a form of self-defense whereby the individual distances himself from any event or experience that would be deemed damaging to his or her conscious self. They should not be mistaken for schizophrenia, though.
What is Split Personality Disorder? What Causes it?
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental condition where a person has two or more different personas, and is referred to as a split personality. Each personality may act, think, and behave in very distinct ways.
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This illness is frequently brought on by trauma, especially in early life. Although DID has no known treatment, long-term care may help patients merge their distinct personas into one.
Two or more unique personalities are present in people with DID. These don't just show up as simple moods or characteristic changes. Between these alternate personalities, commonly known as alters, a person with DID expresses notable distinctions. These personalities frequently contrast sharply with one another. For a while, these disjointed identities took over as a person's identity.
A person also retains their primary identity, often known as their host identity, which is their true self and they go by their given name. Their main identity tends to be more reserved, and they can be oblivious to other personas. The new personality that emerges after a personality change will have a unique past, a fresh identity, and alternative actions.
Ninety-nine percent of people with split personality disorder have a very traumatic past or background, yet the primary reasons for this disorder are regrettably still unknown and ambiguous. Sexual or physical abuse is not always the root cause. It could also result from persistent neglect or emotional abuse.
According to studies, children with rigid or unpredictable parents may develop dissociative disorders.
Symptoms of Split Personality Disorder
There are countless signs that may be indicative of split personality disorder. Some of them consist of:
- Self-hatred and self-destructive tendencies
- Amnesia and a loss of time
- Mood changes
- Migraines and headaches
- Inability to recall critical private information
- Shifting between identities
- Extreme depression
- Issues with sleep, like insomnia or sleep apnea
- Abuse of alcohol or drugs
- Episodes of anxiety and phobias
- Suicide thoughts
- Abnormal compulsions and rituals
- Hallucinations, either visual or auditory
It is believed that DID rarely resolves on its own. It is said that symptoms change over time. The prognosis is often bad, particularly for those with co-morbid conditions.
A little systematic information is available regarding DID prevalence. In the latter half of the 20th century, both the prevalence of DID and the number of identities (commonly referred to as "alters") asserted by patients significantly rose.
What are treatment approaches for Split Personality Disorder?
There are no recommendations for managing split personality disorder. There is no specific drug for split personality disorder. Plans for treatment take care of any coexisting disorders and may include both psychotherapy and any medications that may be required to treat symptoms.
1) Psychotherapy
A major form of therapy for those with split personalities is psychotherapy, or talk therapy. Methods like cognitive behavioral therapy may be able to assist a person in processing and coming to terms with the triggers that lead to personality changes.
Psychotherapy for split personality disorder tries to support a person's identity integration and post-traumatic stress disorder coping skills.
2) Additional treatments
The use of relaxation techniques, movement therapy, and art therapy may all be beneficial in the treatment of split personality disorder. In a low-stress setting, these techniques might assist people in connecting different parts of their minds.
Living with split personalities can be challenging, frightening, and lonely. Many patients do not receive a diagnosis until they are adults, which means they may endure years of dreadful symptoms without understanding the cause.
The different personalities that make up a person might not always get along. A person can "wake up" at an unexpected location with no memory as to how they got there when some other personality takes over.
Nonetheless, personalities might also complement one another and aid someone in navigating daily life. People with split personality disorders may have major improvements in their life satisfaction and a decrease in other mental health conditions with treatment.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
