The document discusses dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple personality disorder. It notes that unlike popular portrayals, most people with DID work hard to hide the disorder and function well in daily life and jobs. However, subjects are at risk for substance abuse and relationship problems if abusive behavior is present. People with DID also commonly have other mental health issues like depression, PTSD, and self-harming behaviors. While dissociation is an effective survival technique, habitual use of it can lead to dysfunction even after traumatic events end.

1. What is a
Dissociative
Disorder?

2. Is it Obvious when a Person
Switches Personalities?
Some have trouble keeping a job and maintaining
relationships because, abusive behavior is present
in it. Subjects are at risk for engaging in drug and
alcohol abuse (Stöppler, M. 22 June 2012).
Unlike popular portrayals of
dissociation in books and movies,
most subjects work hard to hide
the disorder of dissociation. Often
function so well, especially under
controlled circumstances, interact
daily with family members,
coworkers, neighbors, and others
that may never know about the
subjects chronically dissociative.
Being able to hold highly
responsible jobs, contributing to
society in a variety of professions,
the arts, and public service (Sidran.
2013).

5. What Other Mental Health
Problems Are People with DID
Likely to Have?
In addition, subjects with Dissociative
Disorders can have other diagnosable mental
health problems at the same time. Typically
these include depression, post - traumatic
stress disorder, panic attacks, obsessive
compulsive symptoms, phobias, and self-
harming behavior such as cutting, eating
disorders, and high-risk sexual behaviors.
Although getting expert treatment for the
more common secondary issue, if the
dissociative disorder is not addressed,
recovery is generally short lived
(Sidran. 2013).

6. If Its a Survival Technique, What’s the Down
Side?

7. Because it is so effective, children who are very practiced at dissociating may
automatically use it whenever a feeling of being threatened--even if the anxiety-
producing situation is not extreme or abusive. Even after the traumatic
circumstances are long past, the left-over pattern of defensive dissociation
sometimes remains into adulthood. Habitual defensive dissociation may lead to
serious dysfunction in school, work, social, and daily activities(Sidran. 2013).

10. Cleveland Clinic Foundation, The. (18 April 2012) The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dissociative
Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder). Retrieved from
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/dissociative_disorders/hic_dissociative_identity_disorder_mu
ltiple_personality_disorder.aspx
Sidran. (2013) Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Retrieved from
http://www.sidran.org/sub.cfm?contentID=75&sectionid=4
Stöppler, M. (22 June 2012) MedicineNet, Inc.Dissociative identity disorder (DID) facts Retrieve
from
http://www.medicinenet.com/dissociative_identity_disorder/article.htm#dissociative_identity_dis
order_did_facts
References