Dissociative Identity Disorder Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be one of 4 main kinds of dissociative disorders (DSM-IV) The essential feature of dissociative disorders is a disturbance or alteration in the normally integrative functions of identicalness, memory, or consciousness (8). If identity is the main function affected, the person is said to have DID. Most non-DID people have one identity comprised of many parts that work harmoniously together. They have only one I-function which consists of a conglomeration of thoughts and feelings formed from connections between many different brain areas. bulk with MPD, however, have a decentralized, internal network of 2 or more I- functions or alters, each with its own physiology, behavior, and cognitions. Dissociation often enables victims to maintain a relatively healthy level of functioning because traumatic memories are disconnected from other inf ormation in their minds. A multiple presents her view of DID We do not jump out FROM MPD. We SURVIVE because of MPD (6). Living with this disorder is often an extremely lonely, confusing experience. Luckily, there has been much success in treating this disorder thanks to the extensive research conducted into DID aetiology. The etiology may be explained by the diathesis-stress model. There appears to be a biological component given the accompaniment that most people with DID have a family muniment of the disorder. It has also been found that people who are easily hypnotized are more susceptible to DID (5). The stress is known to come from severe physical, emotional, and/or internal abuse at a developmentally sensitive stage in childhood (3). When a per... ...ted. Another possibility is that everyone possesses different centers of connections and somehow after retell dissociation episodes, some peoples links become severed. Findings from DID research may be helpful for DID and non-DID sufferers alike. Research into this area has shed a lot of light into what kinds of cognitions escape to healthy functioning, among the most important of which are the need for a sense of control and self-love and respect. The research also highlights the interconnectedness of the mind and body the fact that the psychological has a very real affect on the physiological and vice versa. Internet Sourceshttp//www.sidran.org/casa.htmlhttp//www.sidran.org/didbr.htmlhttp//rossinst.com/case2.htmhttp//www.rossinst.com/2yr_study.htmhttp//www.trauma-pages.com/vanderk4.htmhttp//www.trauma-pages.com/vanderk2.htm