Introduction

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), also formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is one of the mental illness that most people have little understanding about. Some people associate DID with schizophrenia, and they would think that those who are suffering from this disorder are faking their different personalities.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) characterizes dissociative identity disorder as involving the presences of two or more distinct identities, or personality states, each with its own relatively enduring pattern of traits.

Diagnostic Criteria for 300.14 Dissociative Identity Disorder

A. The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states (each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self).

B. At least two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the person's behavior.

C. Inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

D. The disturbance is not due to direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during Alcohol intoxication) or a general medical condition (e.g., complex partial seizures). Note: In children, the symptoms are not attributed to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play (American Psychological Association, 2000).

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References

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.