Dissociative Identity Disorder

1. Dissociative Identity Disorder Section 6 MPD

2. objectives • Define dissociative Identity Disorder • Compare and contrast two viewpoints of MPD • Infer problems with MPD

3. Dissociatative identity disorder • Apparent emergence, within one person, of two or more distinct identities, each with it’s own name, memories, preferences and personality traits • Formerly and still popularly called multiple personality disorder • dissociative amnesia- looses memory but no known reason • “detached”

4. chapter 11 Dissociative identity disorder A controversial disorder marked by the appearance within one person of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own name and traits Commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder

5. MPD controversy • One side thinks MPD is common but unrecognized or misdiagnosed • Disorder originates in childhoods means of coping with horrors (torture) • Trauma produces “splitting” (dissociation) • one personality emerges handles everyday experience • Another personality “alter” to cope with the bad ones

6. chapter 11 The MPD controversy First view MPD is common but often unrecognized as such. Starts in childhood as a means of coping Trauma produced a mental splitting. Second view Created through pressure and suggestion by clinicians Handfuls to ten thousand since 1980

7. On the other hand • Some believe most MPD cases are generated by clinicians themselves through patients THAT have other psychological problems • Before 1980 handful of cases • Mid 1990’s tens of thousands • Hospitals, therapists, psychiatrists, and patients all get paid • Now more closely scrutinized

8. Sociocognitive explanation • Some troubled highly imaginative individuals can produce many different personalities • But sociocognotive explanation says MPD diagnosis provides culturally acceptable ways for troubled people to make sense of their problems • Account for sexual or criminal behavior “my other personality did it” • Therapists reward patients with praise and attention with each new personality

9. chapter 11 Sociocognitive explanation MPD is an extreme form of our ability to present many aspects of our personalities to others. MPD is a socially acceptable way for some troubled people to make sense of their problems. Therapists looking for MPD may reward patients with attention and praise for revealing more and more personalities.

10. Rise and fall of MPD • Critical thinking vs. media coverage of MPD • Canadian psychiatrist Harold Merskey (1992) • Reviewed published cases of MPD • and unable to find a single case without being influenced by therapist suggestions, or reports about the disorder in books or media

11. Sybil =HOAX • Book, film, television special • Never had childhood sexual abuse • Did not have MPD • Symptoms largely generated by psychiatrists

12. MPD • 100’s of cases referred only one was genuine MPD • Examine on own merits • Consider other explanations • Examine assumptions and biases • Demand good evidence

13. summary • MPD • Two viewpoints