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Amal Ahmed

Dissociative Identity Disorder (Mental Health Research Team Report)

Updated: Sep 5, 2022

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition in which patients experience difficulty in remembering basic information and feel disconnected from the real world. They have jumbled thoughts which they try to link up, making it impossible for them to function effectively.



Different types of dissociative disorders include,

1. Dissociative Amnesia

2. Dissociative Fugue

3. Dissociative Identity Disorder

4. Depersonalization Disorder


Dissociative Identity Disorder


Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), also known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is when someone develops multiple personalities due to discontinuous thoughts. These personalities are distinct and can be more than two. It makes a person behave very differently in similar situations.


Causes

The most common cause of DID is prolonged abuse. It may be emotional, physical or sexual. A person suffering abuse at regular intervals develops a way to cope with it that involves dissociation as a survival skill.


Symptoms:

The most common symptoms of DID include:

1. Memory loss (especially the abuse phase)

2. Self-injury and Suicide attempts

3. Hallucinations and internal voices

4. Identity confusion and unawareness of the presence

5. Quick transitions from feeling very energetic to feeling extremely low

6. Sudden flashbacks


Cure:

There is no medicinal treatment for patients suffering from DID as its cause is not hormonal unbalance. Although antidepressants and anxiolytics (drugs that control anxiety disorders) help control sudden mood swings.

Various therapies are very effective in treating DID. Regular therapy sessions help patients cope with DID, but it takes an average of 5 to 7 years in adults for permanent results. Some options include: -


Psychotherapy

This is also known as talk therapy. It helps individuals cope with mental illnesses. Patients should be willing and motivated enough so that it could be effective. It helps overcome trauma and induce a sense of positivity and happiness in the patients. It also helps to form an integrated personality and dismiss others.


Family Therapy

This is a type of psychotherapy in which families get professional advice to deal with the patient suffering from DID. It helps educate the family about the sufferings and feelings of the patient. It can help boost the results of psychotherapy.


Clinical Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy or clinical hypnosis is a controversial way to treat various mental and physical problems, but it can be very effective if done by a trained therapist under preventive measures.


Prevention

A person can take the following preventive measures if he notices any of the symptoms mentioned

above: -

  • Meditation

  • Regular Exercise

  • Getting plenty of sleep

  • Maintaining a healthy Diet

  • By Identifying Triggers

References

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-treat-dissociative-disorder-5211865

https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Dissociative_disorders

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/dissociative-identity-disorder

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dissociation-and-dissociative-

disorders

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17749-dissociative-disorders-

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