Dissociative identity disorder (DID), also known as multiple personality disorder, is a condition characterized by two or more distinct personalities or identities that control a person's behavior. The personalities are called alters and each has their own way of interacting. To be diagnosed with DID, a person must experience memory loss beyond normal forgetfulness and have at least two personalities routinely take control of their behavior. There are several approaches to explaining and understanding DID, including that it develops as a defense mechanism for children experiencing trauma, like abuse, and that each alter has their own traits and way of responding to situations. However, there is no consensus on the cause and effective treatments are still being explored.

1. Dissociative Identity disorder (Multi Personality Disorder) Nicole Townsend

2. What is did/mpd? A condition in which a person displays multiple personalities or identities. They are known as egos, or alter egos, and they each have their own way of interacting with the environment. In order to be classified as having DID, there must be at least two personalities that routinely take control of the person’s behavior, along with memory loss that goes beyond normal forgetfulness. Memory loss is due to the “switching” of personalities, and not recalling what the other personality did.

3. Psychoanalytical approach More commonly referenced theory when explaining the reasons for someone having DID. This approach says that the disorder has to do with a traumatic childhood event such as mental or sexual abuse. The child then goes into a dreamlike state in order to protect themselves, where the alter ego comes out. This theory states that another personality is a defense mechanism. This theory relies heavily on the unconscious mind, which could change the understanding of a patient if their unconscious mind is altered. This theory has no empirical evidence to back it up, which raises some controversy.

4. Trait Approach Each identity inside the body carries their own set of traits. The original personality is usually the more rational one, and the one with the best sense of judgment and morals. The other personalities could have very strong traits that make them known as just as those traits- such as “the slut” or “the bitch” or “the crazy one” etc. Each personality may not respond the same to the same types of situations, which makes it hard to use this theory as a base or measurement of the disorder. Not only that but there could always be new personalities and new traits that emerge in a person.

5. Biological Approach Drug based treatments have proven to be problematic. Though there is no cure, having patients take medicines can be very harmful due to the side effects of certain prescriptions. They may effect the different personalities in different ways, and there may be little or no way to monitor all personalities and the side effects. Clinical psychology and self help groups could possibly help more than medication because there is an ability of getting to the core of the problem/cause instead of masking it or trying to cover it up without knowing the cause.

6. Humanistic approach This theory relies upon the patient’s own experiences, and how they interpret their experiences. There is much room for error in talking about their past. If there are multiple personalities trying to convey how they each interpreted their past, it could get very confusing. Especially since there is a degree of memory loss that can go along with DID.

7. Behavioral and Social Learning approach Other types of learning that isn’t conditioned learning with reinforcements aren’t taken into account with this approach, which proves to be difficult in DID. Each personality could also react differently to social situations when new information is introduced. Though there are behavior patters that are established through reinforcement, certain things aren’t easy to change when it comes to behavioral impulses. Each ego could react differently to a situation, pose new threats or challenges to themselves or those around them, or even establish another personality.

8. Cognitive approach This theory offers insight to why people with DID often suffer memory loss of important events in their lives. This shows how these thoughts can influence how we understand and interact with the world. Children and adults think differently, which is a possible cause of the disease. Adults are more readily guarded and are more prepared to handle things, while children are sometimes unprepared or unable to guard themselves, which causes them to go into a defense mechanism which turns into DID.

9. references Aldridge-Morris, Ray. (1989). Multiple personality. Psychology Press. Alan, R. (2009). Multiple personality disorder: does it really exist?. Langone Medical Center, Retrieved from http://www.med.nyu.edu/patientcare/library/article.html?ChunkIID=14192 Amir, O. (2008, July 22). Tough choices: how making decisions tires your brain. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=tough-choices-how-making Chakraburtty, A. (2009, September 16). Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Dissociative identity disorder (did). (2009, June 17). Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/dissociative_identity_disorder/page5.htm Grohol, J.M. (2006, September 7). Dissociative identity disorder treatment. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx18t.htm

10. References (cont.) Harris, R. (1998, June 15). Evaluating internet research sources. Retrieved from http://www.virtualsalt.com/crebook5.htm Krakauer, S.A. (2001). Treating dissociative identity disorder: the power of the collective heart. Philadelphia: Brunner-Routeledge. Lehmann, C. (200, January 17). Genes may play a key role in aggression in mpd. Retrieved from http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/38/2/20.full Movie: The Three Faces of Eve (September 23, 1957). N/A, . (2010). Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder). Webmd. Retrieved (2010, May 19) from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Sheikh, U. (2009, March 13). Decision making. Retrieved from http://www.usmansheikh.com/success-factors/impulsive-decisions Shwartz, A. (2001). Dissociative identity disorder. AllPsych Journal, Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/journal/did.html Tasler, N. (2009, March 12). Impulsive much?. Retrieved from http://www.nicktasler.com/2009/03/impulsive-much-get-a-grip-on-impulsive-decisions/