Dissociative identity disorder is a mental health condition involving a disruption in identity and perceptions of reality. The Cleveland Clinic explains that the key feature of this disorder is dissociation from the self. Essentially, this means disconnecting from normal states of awareness when triggered by stress, traumatic events or memories attached to traumatic events. The Rape Abuse and Incest National Network indicates that some children develop this disorder when subjected to abusive situations, as a means to cope with the trauma of abuse. The diagnosis for dissociative identity disorder is made when the presence of two or more distinct identities emerge and take control of behaviors. Additionally, diagnosis includes an inability to recall important information, not explained by normal forgetfulness and not resulting from effects of underlying substance abuse or medical conditions.
Development of Alters
The primary effect of dissociative identity disorder and basis for diagnosis is the development of alternative personality states. The National Alliance on Mental Illness website explains that as few as two alters, or as many as 100, can emerge from this condition. Each alter has a distinct reality of personal history, self-image and an identity separate from the original person. The AllPsych website notes that a dominant personality exists and is aware of the alters, but also serves to protect the original personality from the trauma memories. Alter types can take the form of helpers, a scared or hurt child and an angry protector. Each alter has a distinct age different from the original personality. The development of alters typically occurs prior to the age of five.
Effects of Dissociating
The presence of alters has significant effects on the course in life the original personality takes. MayoClinic.com describes an automatic switching of personalities during moments of stress, as typical in this disorder. If the original personality is unaware of having the condition, the effect is described as losing time, or dissociative amnesia. Switching can occur frequently or rarely, depending on the severity of the condition. The Cleveland Clinic notes that this creates a chaotic life for the original personality, often causing isolation from connecting with others and difficulties in maintaining employment.
Additional Symptoms
According to the AllPsych website, symptoms reported in this disorder include auditory or visual hallucinations. However, the voices are actually deemed as personalities communicating with each other inside the mind of the original personality, rather than hearing voices externally, such as those found in people with schizophrenia. Depression is prominent in dissociative identity disorder and is the symptom that commonly prompts the patient to seek treatment. Anxiety, appetite disturbance and severe headaches are additional effects of the disorder.
Complications
MayoClinic.com indicates that people with dissociative disorders are at increased risk for attempting suicide, self-mutilation and developing co-occurring substance abuse. Dissociative identity disorder is also commonly misdiagnosed as schizophrenia in childhood due to difficulties the child may have in communicating symptoms beyond hearing voices, notes the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
