Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder

Such individuals are affected by Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), the causes of which are complex based on research studies.

Dissociative identity disorder is a condition wherein a person’s identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personality states.

US-based psychiatrist Richard Kluft who is also an expert in this field, suggests that DID is caused by four main factors.

Firstly, individuals have an innate potential to dissociate what is reflected in the fact that they are easy to hypnotise; secondly, traumatic experiences in early childhood may disturb personality development, leading to greater potential or divisiveness in mental and emotional areas; thirdly, individuals may be denied the chance to spontaneously recover because of continued emotional and/or social deprivation; and lastly, final presentation is shaped by mental and/or emotional external factors including social influences.

Having a strong resilience particularly in dealing with traumatic experiences, is essential in avoiding occurrences of this emotional ill, as research shows that DID symptoms are a psychological response to extreme environmental and interpersonal stressors.

In cushioning this stress, affected individuals separate their thoughts, feelings, actions and memories associated with the particular trauma, from their normal level of consciousness, hence the split personality effect.

Studies have also revealed that persons affected by DID, tend to have a personal history of recurring, overpowering and mostly life-threatening traumas such as physical or sexual abuse usually before the age of nine.

DID victims sometimes describe feelings that they have suddenly become modified onlookers of their own speech and/or actions.

They may admit to hearing different kinds of voices, and in some instances, these sounds are assisted by various thought streams over which the victims have no control.

Whilst DID is not totally understood, victims often report past experiences of physical and/or sexual abuse, particularly in their earlier years.

Symptoms include memory loss, a sense of disconnection from yourself and your emotions, a perception that shows the people around you as unreal, a confused sense of identity, inability to cope with stressful situations and mental health problems such as depressions, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Persons experiencing these symptoms should seek psychotherapy aimed at disintegrating the different personalities and uniting them into one. Remember your health is your wealth.

Sandrine Rattan is a Communications/ Branding Consultant/ Author and President of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or contact 283-0318.