Dissociative identity disorder, previously called multiple personality disorder, is usually a reaction to trauma as a way to help a person avoid bad memories. Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality identities. Each may have a unique name, personal history, and characteristics.
It is a very rare disease, where the rate of infection in the world is less than 1% according to recent studies, and is known as a severe disorder that affects the mental state of a human being, it manifests through the behavior and thought patterns of the person. The disease causes social and behavioural problems.
Some famous people suffering or suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder are; Herschel Walker, Adam Duritz, Roseanne Barr, Shirley Mason, Marilyn Monroe. Many however, never share or shared their affliction with such a disease.
Causes:
| Causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder may be due to genetic, psychological or environmental reasons that occur with a person such as: infection of the pregnant mother during pregnancy, or severe poverty, violence and beatings, loss of one or both parents during childhood. | |
| It may also be caused by a disturbance in the chemical structures found in the human brain. (Chemical Imbalance) |
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Symptoms:
- hallucinations
- Mental Disorders
- Illusions
- Intense fear
- Prolonged Silence
- isolation
- Increased sexual behavior
- Substance abuse
- Mood swings
- quick and sudden personality changes
These are not all the signs and symptoms but the most obvious. Although a person with Schizophrenia may share some of these symptoms, the two diseases should not be confused and are not the same.
Treatment
Dissociative Identity Disorder is not easy to treat and diagnose, there are always debates as to how it is diagnosed, as some suggest the disease is not real and claim it is therapist-induced. Such claims made it hard to be recognized by health care providers, and harder for patients to get proper care. Another problem for diagnosing such a disease is the fact that most patients suffer a feeling of guilt and shame that causes them to hide or forget causes for this disease, like violent or sexual abuse which they might have suffered as children.
Treatment may range from talk therapy, to a number of drugs that influence the chemical balance of the brain. Our brains are capable of self healing by producing certain chemicals, but when the brain ability to do so is impeded, a doctor can prescribe a drug that will repair the imbalance and put the brain back on the route to self healing.
There is no magic cure for Dissociative Identity Disorder , it will not go away on it's own. A system of support from family and friends to an expert diagnosis and treatment is needed. Left alone such diseases can lead a human being to feeling helpless, depressed, and capable of self harm or harm to others. Suicide and substance abuse are known side effects if the disease is left unchecked