Unveiling Dissociative Identity Disorder: Alters Within

1. Psi Chi/ PSA Wednesday March 4, 2009

2. Future Meeting Dates/Topics • March 25, 2009 ~ Brooke Ingersol (Autism Medication) • April 8, 2009~ Executive Board 2009-2010 elections • April 22, 2009~ Year evaluations & Fun!!!!

3. Tonight’s Topic: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) • Formerly known as “Multiple Personality Disorder” • Portrayed in films such as “The Three Faces of Eve” (1957), “Sybil” (1976) & (2007 remake). • Often confused with Schizophrenia in the popular media (television, movies, etc). • Controversial Diagnosis– Some Psychologists debate the existence of DID.

4. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) • Formal Definition • a condition in which a single person displays multiple distinct identities or personalities (known as alter egos or “alters”), each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment.

5. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) • As many as 100 different personalities within one person with DID (Average number is 15 for women & 8 for men). • “Alters” may: • Be of the opposite gender • Have different eyeglass prescriptions • Write with the opposite hand • Seem to physically LOOK different (different facial expressions, posture, etc) • Have different voices/ accents • Be of varying ages (one alter may be a 5 year old child and another may be 25 years old) • The “host”, or original personality is usually unaware of the alters. • Experience memory lapses—have no memory of saying or doing certain things when an alter was out (or “in control”)

6. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) • Most common in women (9 times more likely than men to develop DID) • Usually sparked by traumatic experiences in childhood. • The “host” develops “alters” as a way to protect themselves (from remembering the traumatic event—the alter personalities remember the event so the host does not have to).

7. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) • Treatment of DID usually involves years of intense psychotherapy. • Involves facing past trauma in order to overcome the disorder. • Goal is to integrate the various personalities to make a whole, functional personality. • Rare disorder—only includes 0.5-1% of the population.

8. “Sybil” (2007) Clips • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1_Z6-v4uT0&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vANyDFgjZU&NR=1

9. Discussion Question: • Do you agree/disagree with those who contend the DID is not a diagnosable disorder &/or that therapists are primarily responsible for the manifestations of “alters” (additional personalities) in those diagnosed with DID?

10. Me, Myself & Irene (2000) & Fight Club (1999) Clips • Me, Myself & Irene (Trailer) (2000) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2Ux1TvVtM • Fight Club (1999) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJnmfe6XRXw&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfWmOKVpCuU&NR=1

11. Discussion Question: • Do you think these film clips offer an accurate representation DID? • Why or why not?

12. Real People with DID (Clips) • Tony • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iHJfIH20TY&feature=related • Herschel Walker (NFL Player) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX3F-CkTaFU&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFEdaTvM3s0&NR=1

13. Discussion Questions: • How do these real life examples of people living with a DID diagnosis compare to the movie clips (Sybil, Fight Club, Me Myself & Irene) depicting the disorder? • What effect might inaccurate representations of DID have on people living with a DID diagnosis?

14. Psi Chi/ PSA Positions!!!! Elections are coming up, so think about which of these positions you might be interested in running for….

15. PSA President Duties: • Attend Psi Chi Meetings • Attend volunteer and fundraising activities • Assist with planning of meetings and fundraising events • Promote knowledge of Psi Chi and PSA through speaking at classes and informing individuals • Run meetings in the absence of Psi Chi President and Vice President