DID is a dissociative disorder (previously called multiple personality disorder)
DID is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states, and these states control a person at different times
(never a combination of personalities)
Most sufferers cannot remember what each individual personality has done, only the one present at the time
Statistics
The average age of development for DID is 5.9 years old (at this age, some children are misdiagnosed as being Schizophrenic)
0.01% to 1% of the general population suffers from
DID
9 times more women develop DID than men
The average number of personalities those with
DID is 10 (can be from 1 to 100 alternate personas)
Causes and Risk
Factors
The development of DID has been most closely attributed to the experiencing traumatic events, mainly physical and/or sexual abuse as a child
Sometimes cases of DID develop because of other disorders such as PTSD an Borderline
Personality Disorder, and the main disorder must be treated before the later-developing
DID
Prevention
There is no proven way to prevent the development of DID, but the implication of treatment right after someone experiences a traumatic event can lessen the extent of the chronic disorder
Psychological
Symptoms
Altered consciousness
Amnesia
Blackouts
Hallucinations
Flashbacks
Behavioral Symptoms
Impulsive behavior
Self harm
Self destructive behavior (i.e., substance abuse or general misconduct)
Violence (usually prevalent in an alter personality) Mood Symptoms
