DID; DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER

WHAT IS DID??

Dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder is a mental disorder where the effected person is diagnosed with the presence of two or more personalities in that particular person. Each personality have their respective names, characteristics, voices, mannerism, thoughts, history and even gender. These identities control a person’s behavior at different times.

                                          ibpf.org

Dissociative identity disorder, previously called multiple personality disorder, is usually a reaction to trauma as a way to help a person avoid bad memories. DID can cause gaps in memory and other problems like hallucinations, short term memory loss etc. types of psychotherapy can help people manage the symptoms of DID. 

To make it more understandable to people many movies, documentaries have been made worldwide. Movies like Sybil of 1976, Frankie and Alice of 2010. In India too many movies of different languages have been made on the concept of DID. The movies bhool bhulaiyaa, tamil movie anniyan and chandramukhi are the classic movies made on this concept. 

Most of the movies are inspired by real life people who are actually suffering from DID. 

                                      imbd.com

How common is DID?

DID is very rare. The disorder affects between 0.01 and 1% of the population. It can occur at any age. Women are more likely than men to have DID. 

CAUSES OF DID

Dissociative disorders usually develop as a way to cope with trauma. The disorders most often form in children subjected to long-term physical, sexual or emotional abuse or, less often, a home environment that's frightening or highly unpredictable. The stress of war or natural disasters also can bring on dissociative disorders. Personal identity is still forming during childhood. So a child is more able than an adult to step outside of himself or herself and observe trauma as though it's happening to a different person. A child who learns to dissociate in order to endure a traumatic experience may use this coping mechanism in response to stressful situations throughout life.

                                 www.medindia.net

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DID?

1. Amnesia- Loss of memory especially for a short time when the mind of the diagnosed person is overtaken by the other personality and that time the person forgets about his real existence. After that phase, the person do not remember what he/she has done when his/her mind was overtaken by the other personality.The person feels that he is a different person and feels detached from himself.He feels that everything is unreal around him and does not trust anyone around him

2. Occupational and social anxiety- The person finds it difficult to cope up with the stress at work and feels abandoned or embarrassed in the society leading to less social nature.

3. Suicidal  tendencies-quite common in such people as they are in a state of confusion all the time about their identity.

4. There are phobias, auditory and visual hallucinations.

                              did-research.org

Suicidal thoughts or behavior

If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, go to an emergency room, or confide in a trusted relative or friend. Or call a suicide hotline number — in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor.

COMPLICATIONS DUE TO DID

• Self-harm or mutilation
• Suicidal thoughts and behavior
• Sexual dysfunction
• Alcoholism and drug use disorders
• Depression and anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Personality disorders
• Sleep disorders, including nightmares, insomnia and sleepwalking
• Eating disorders
• Physical symptoms such as lightheadedness or non-epileptic seizures
• Major difficulties in personal relationships and at work

TIME TO SEE A DOCTOR BEFORE ITS TOO 

Some people with dissociative disorders present in a crisis with traumatic flashbacks that are overwhelming or associated with unsafe behavior. People with these symptoms should be seen in an emergency room. If you or a loved one has less urgent symptoms that may indicate a dissociative disorder, call your doctor.

TREATMENT

The primary treatment for DID is psychotherapy. psychotherapy is focused on talking with a mental health professional about your mental health.The goal of psychotherapy is to learn how to cope with your disorder and to understand the cause of it. 

Hypnosiss is also considered by some to be a useful tool for DID treatment.

Medication commonly used medications are: anti- anxiety drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants is sometimes used in the treatment of DID, as well. Although there are no medications specifically recommended for the treatment of dissociative disorders, your doctor might use them for associated mental health symptoms.

If you identify with the symptoms of dissociative identity disorder, you should make an appointment to see your doctor.

                           simplypsychology.org

AT LAST... 

If your friend or a loved one is displaying the common symptoms, you should encourage them to seek help.

References- 

www.healthline.com

www.webmd.com

my.clevelandclinic.org

In-text references-

"www.mayoclinic.com"

"www.medicalnewstoday.com"