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Dissociative Identity Disorder - Dissociative Identity Disorder Symptom, Cause, Treatment
Dissociative identity disorder is a diagnosis described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which ia define formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. Dissociative identity disorder is a diagnosis described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In dissociative identity disorder, formerly called multiple personality disorder is a disorder in which a person has more than one discrete, separate identity. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple personality disorder, Each identity is unique, and has its own sets of memories, ideas, thoughts, ways of thinking, and purposes. One identity may be the protector, while another may be a child. On average, a person with DID has between 8 and 13 separate personalities. DID generally results from a severe traumatic experience during the early childhood years.
Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Some symptoms are an indication that another disorder is indeed present, but some symptoms may reflect the intrusions of past experiences into the present. Symptoms of this particular disorder can sometimes include:
- Depression
- Anxiety (sweating, rapid pulse, palpitations)
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
- Physical symptoms (severe headaches or other bodily pain)
- Fluctuating levels of function, from highly effective to disabled
- Time distortions, time lapse, and amnesia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders (insomnia, sleepwalking, night terrors)
- Posttraumatic stress
- Suicidal preoccupations and attempts
- Episodes of self-mutilation
- Psychoactive substance abuse
Causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder
During the period of time when a person is dissociating, certain information is not associated with other information as it normally would be. Dissociative identity disorder appears to be caused by the interaction of several factors. These include overwhelming stress; an ability to separate one's memories, perceptions, or identity from conscious awareness; abnormal psychologic development, and insufficient protection and nurture during childhood. Dissociation describes a collapse in ego integrity so profound that the personality is considered to literally break apart. For this reason, dissocation is often referred to as "splitting" or "altering". Less profound presentations of this condition are often referred to clinically as disorganization or decompensation.Dissociative Identity Disorder is a mental process, which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity.
Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Treatment is likely to include some combination of the following methods:
- Psychotherapy : This kind of therapy for mental and emotional disorders uses psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems.
- Cognitive therapy : This type of therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional thinking patterns.
- Medication: There is no medication to treat the dissociative disorders themselves. However, a person with a dissociative disorder who also suffers from depression or anxiety might benefit from treatment with a medication such as an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine.
- Family therapy : This kind of therapy helps to educate the family about the disorder and its causes, as well as to help family members recognize symptoms of a recurrence.
- Creative therapies such as art therapy or music therapy : These therapies allow the patient to explore and express his or her thoughts and feelings in a safe and creative way.
- Clinical hypnosis : This is a treatment technique that uses intense relaxation, concentration and focused attention to achieve an altered state of consciousness or awareness, allowing people to explore thoughts, feelings and memories they might have hidden from their conscious minds.
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