Dissociative Identity Disorder

[Shrinkmerule11]

Golden Shirohana

Shrinkmerule11

Golden Shirohana

Does anyone know of non-fabricated cases on record that I can possibly get access to...?

I have some, do you have access to global academic research like a local university library?

Unfortunately, no...the best library I have readily available is a high school library, which is highly understocked with technology from 1998.

You could check with the high school library and see if they have EBSCO search database. If they do, you can do a search using "dissociative identity disorder" or "multiple personality disorder" there is a lot of old research, and to find the new ones, you have to put limiters on the search. Also, the high school library might have access to ERIC, you can also search there.

[Shrinkmerule11]

error[dot]exe

Shrinkmerule11

error[dot]exe

Shrinkmerule11

It is actually not rare, this is well-documented. But it is misunderstood and abused, especially in the Court setting in North America.

Do you have a source to show that it's not rare?

I have an entire bibliography of over 50 world wide peer reviewed sources. Would you like it? You need access to an academic subscription to get to most of the articles, but if you go to your local library or if you are near a local university, you can view the journals and research articles without having to pay for them. Let me know if you would like the bibliography. They are not sorted by culture, so if you want Western culture info only, or European only, let me know.

I might be able to get access through my partner and her academic subscriptions through her school. If you could link them that would be great.

the best journal I have found thus far is Transcultural Psychiatry

[Instant Superstition]

faolan

Instant Superstition

People often mistakenly think that Schizophrenia = DID, while it's a completely different disorder.

Actually, one of the principle differences is that schizophrenia isn't a disorder in the true sense of the term. Schizophrenia is a congenital degenerative neurological disease -- in this, it's more like Alzheimer's or dementia than any psychological disorder. ^_~

As long as it's listed in the DSM it's a physological disorder and it's good that people accept is as a disease as well.

[Shrinkmerule11]

Instant Superstition

faolan

Instant Superstition

People often mistakenly think that Schizophrenia = DID, while it's a completely different disorder.

Actually, one of the principle differences is that schizophrenia isn't a disorder in the true sense of the term. Schizophrenia is a congenital degenerative neurological disease -- in this, it's more like Alzheimer's or dementia than any psychological disorder. ^_~

As long as it's listed in the DSM it's a physological disorder and it's good that people accept is as a disease as well.

True, but clinicians under-diagnose because it is controversial. I am hoping the DSM V (it is scheduled to come out in May 2012) addresses some of the problems with diagnosis so that people who need help get it without years of misdiagnosis and negative community feelings toward the diagnosis.

[Pipe Private]

Golden Shirohana

Abbreviated to DID - also referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, defined by one or more alter egos that can take over at any time.

It's thought by many people to be a hoax and a criminal scam to escape convictions, but psychologists have been diagnosing it for a while now...usually after incorrectly diagnosing the patient with things such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder...

Very recently I was diagnosed with this. That bothers me greatly - I happen to know someone, and have known them for several years, who claims to also have it's symptoms...but calls himself schizophrenic. Given that they're two very different things, and this person is a renowned attention-seeker, I've guessed that this isn't the truth.

I'm looking for opinions - does DID exist, is it just an attention-seeking hoax used in mass media...and how should I tell my friends and family, when I myself am skeptical of others who claim to have it?

Any advice is appreciated.

The big signature about this disorder has to do with memory. It is a very real disorder and has been scientifically documented. Different personalities actually cause the brain to function differently, as has been seen in various MRI and PET scans.

The key thing to remember is that DID has a lot to do with memory, and it is real if you cannot control it. Switches can happen by initiation of triggers, or even the simple action of coughing, depending on the person.

I see it mostly as a defense mechanism. Usually resulting from past traumatic experiences. Schizophrenia is completely different. Hearing voices in your head is different than taking on a completely different personality and blacking out while doing it.

[Instant Superstition]

Shrinkmerule11

Instant Superstition

faolan

Instant Superstition

People often mistakenly think that Schizophrenia = DID, while it's a completely different disorder.

Actually, one of the principle differences is that schizophrenia isn't a disorder in the true sense of the term. Schizophrenia is a congenital degenerative neurological disease -- in this, it's more like Alzheimer's or dementia than any psychological disorder. ^_~

As long as it's listed in the DSM it's a physological disorder and it's good that people accept is as a disease as well.

True, but clinicians under-diagnose because it is controversial. I am hoping the DSM V (it is scheduled to come out in May 2012) addresses some of the problems with diagnosis so that people who need help get it without years of misdiagnosis and negative community feelings toward the diagnosis.

I totally agree. Misdiagnosing is a big problem.. people ending up with the wrong treatment/medication *shivers*.

[Golden Shirohana]

Instant Superstition

Shrinkmerule11

Instant Superstition

faolan

Instant Superstition

People often mistakenly think that Schizophrenia = DID, while it's a completely different disorder.

Actually, one of the principle differences is that schizophrenia isn't a disorder in the true sense of the term. Schizophrenia is a congenital degenerative neurological disease -- in this, it's more like Alzheimer's or dementia than any psychological disorder. ^_~

As long as it's listed in the DSM it's a physological disorder and it's good that people accept is as a disease as well.

True, but clinicians under-diagnose because it is controversial. I am hoping the DSM V (it is scheduled to come out in May 2012) addresses some of the problems with diagnosis so that people who need help get it without years of misdiagnosis and negative community feelings toward the diagnosis.

I totally agree. Misdiagnosing is a big problem.. people ending up with the wrong treatment/medication *shivers*.

It just occurred to me - would those different medications end up aggravating the true problem? Side-effects are common, of course...I've been on I-don't-know-how-many anti-depressants by now and have experienced a great deal of side-effects...but can it actually make the true illness worse?

[Shrinkmerule11]

Golden Shirohana

Instant Superstition

Shrinkmerule11

Instant Superstition

faolan

Instant Superstition

People often mistakenly think that Schizophrenia = DID, while it's a completely different disorder.

Actually, one of the principle differences is that schizophrenia isn't a disorder in the true sense of the term. Schizophrenia is a congenital degenerative neurological disease -- in this, it's more like Alzheimer's or dementia than any psychological disorder. ^_~

As long as it's listed in the DSM it's a physological disorder and it's good that people accept is as a disease as well.

True, but clinicians under-diagnose because it is controversial. I am hoping the DSM V (it is scheduled to come out in May 2012) addresses some of the problems with diagnosis so that people who need help get it without years of misdiagnosis and negative community feelings toward the diagnosis.

I totally agree. Misdiagnosing is a big problem.. people ending up with the wrong treatment/medication *shivers*.

It just occurred to me - would those different medications end up aggravating the true problem? Side-effects are common, of course...I've been on I-don't-know-how-many anti-depressants by now and have experienced a great deal of side-effects...but can it actually make the true illness worse?

The wrong medication can most definitely exacerbate symptoms and also create symptoms that otherwise would not be there. Medications take at least 6 weeks to work if they are going to, but therapy is also necessary at the same time to help determine if the medication is working at all.

[Golden Shirohana]

I don't want this thread to die quite yet...

I especially want to hear the other side of the argument. So far everyone has been arguing that it exists, and there have only been one or two who say DID doesn't exist. And then they haven't stuck around to argue their points...

Please, skeptics, tell me how you feel about this...?

[CluckLikeAChicken]

Just a few pages back there was this whole war I was excited about getting into and it seems to have died. =( Oh well.

Shirohana, why do you think most of the people who argued against it dropped their cases and left? Skeptics (and I know this from being one xD) hate to lose, especially to their arguers, and there is far more evidence towards it being "real" than not so.

I understand that it must be a hard diagnosis to accept. Maybe it would help you to get a second opinion.

Sorry if I repeated any thing here, I didn't read every page.

If you'd like to talk to me about it, feel free to PM me. I know a lot about it from the last 3 or 4 years of on-and-off research =)

[marlowespirals]

Too bad about this page dying... I just found the best spot for DID and it vanishes... Guess I should check dates next time.

I simply don't understand how people can say DID doesn't exist. Nothing is 100% certain, and every case with the brain is different. But that doesn't matter. I know it exists and nothing anyone can say can change my mind about it.

There seem to be quite a few of us here. Perhaps we should start a page for us and our alters to chat. ;D

[bakacoconut69]

Golden Shirohana

Abbreviated to DID - also referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, defined by one or more alter egos that can take over at any time.

It's thought by many people to be a hoax and a criminal scam to escape convictions, but psychologists have been diagnosing it for a while now...usually after incorrectly diagnosing the patient with things such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder...

Very recently I was diagnosed with this. That bothers me greatly - I happen to know someone, and have known them for several years, who claims to also have it's symptoms...but calls himself schizophrenic. Given that they're two very different things, and this person is a renowned attention-seeker, I've guessed that this isn't the truth.

I'm looking for opinions - does DID exist, is it just an attention-seeking hoax used in mass media...and how should I tell my friends and family, when I myself am skeptical of others who claim to have it?

Any advice is appreciated.

The general public has the habit of confusing and/or mixing DID with schizophrenia.

I, for one, believe that DID exists . . . though most people with the disorder are unaware unless they are diagnosed. And even then, they don't come to "know" the other personalities, since only one can really "occupy" the individual at a time. And generally, one might not come to know that they have a separate personality because the other personality/personalities are likely triggered by one specific thing, and it might not be something a person comes into contact with often.

I used to go to school with someone with DID. Everytime we had a test, she had a personality that would take over for the test. Ironic thing was that her alternate personality (evidently, his name was Frank) was a HORRIBLE test taker, so she almost always failed... and yet she was the one that helped me study for my tests, and I almost always got an A. She knew the material... just turned out that testing was the trigger. She started passing the class again, once the professor found out and started an alternative kind of testing (I'm pretty sure it was oral, like a conversation) outside of class.

ALSO: wow, I didn't realize this thread was so old. oO

[Bob Motley]

I may have it...I do have many different sides to me which are slowly becoming one...

[bakacoconut69]

Skittish Nature-Boy

I may have it...I do have many different sides to me which are slowly becoming one...

And this inquiring mind would like to know how long you've been aware of this and how many different personalities you have.... and how you became aware of the disorder, specifically.... and how it's being treated....

.......... I should stop before my head starts spinning. *psychology nut*

[Bob Motley]

bakacoconut69

Skittish Nature-Boy

I may have it...I do have many different sides to me which are slowly becoming one...

And this inquiring mind would like to know how long you've been aware of this and how many different personalities did you have.... and how you became aware of it, specifically.... and how it's being treated....

.......... I should stop before my head starts spinning. *psychology nut*

Um, I had too many to count. XD
I became aware when I was around nine-ish and decided to keep that way.
Then I grew and realized "this some ol' bullshi'.".
I've been in therapy for half my life and meds help. 4laugh