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Multiple Personality Disorder
(MPD) now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), is a complex mental health condition characterised by the presence of two or more distinct personality states, known as "alters." These alters can control a person's behaviour, thoughts, and memories at different times, leading to significant disruptions in identity.
Key Features and Impact
• Fragmented Identity: individuals with DID experience multiple identities, each with its own characteristics, memories, and perspectives, resulting in a fragmented sense of self. Note that schizophrenia too can also result in a fragmented identity.
• Memory Gaps: People with DID often have significant gaps in memory, making it difficult to recall everyday events or personal information. 1 reply
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• Physiological Differences:
Different personality states may display distinct physiological markers, such as varying brain wave patterns (EEG) and differing cerebral blood flow, which may reflect changes in arousal or emotional states rather than causing the identity shifts.
• Wide Range of Symptoms:
Symptoms can include headaches, phobias, panic attacks, and inconsistent mannerisms, attitudes, and beliefs across different identities.
• Distress and Impairment:
The disorder causes considerable distress and affects social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning.
DID is typically linked to severe childhood trauma. The disorder is believed to develop as a coping mechanism, where the mind creates separate identities to manage traumatic memories. 1 reply
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