What is a Dissociative identity disorder?
What is a Dissociative identity disorder?
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DID is a complex and rare mental health condition. It is usually caused by severe and repeated trauma, often in early childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or intense emotional distress. To survive overwhelming situations, a young mind may “split” into different parts, each holding pieces of memory, emotion, or behavior. Over time, these parts become distinct identities, or “alters,” which is how DID develops.
Approximately 1.5% of the population internationally has been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder.
Why Does It Happen?
Why Does It Happen?
DID is not imaginary or made-up. It is the mind’s protective response to experiences that were too painful or unsafe to fully face.
It’s similar to how some people forget parts of a traumatic event—but in DID, this coping strategy becomes more extreme and long-lasting.
Each “alter” may have its own name, voice, gender, memories, or role in the system.
Historical Overview
Historical Overview
The earliest documented case resembling DID dates back to 1584 with Jeanne Fery, a French nun. Her detailed exorcism records describe multiple distinct identities, each with unique characteristics and behaviors, aligning closely with modern understandings of DID. These alters were associated with various actions, including self-harm and disordered eating, and could take control of her body, leading to changes in knowledge and skills.
19th Century and first DID mental health patients
19th Century and first DID mental health patients
In the 19th century, cases like that of Louis Vivet gained attention. Vivet exhibited multiple distinct identities with differing behaviors and memories. His case was among the first to be studied extensively, contributing to the early understanding of dissociative disorders
20th Century and the DSM
20th Century and the DSM
1980: The American Psychiatric Association officially recognized Multiple Personality Disorder in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III).
1994: The disorder was renamed Dissociative Identity Disorder in the DSM-IV to emphasize the disruption of identity rather than the existence of separate personalities
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