Formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a complex dissociative disorder characterized by the presence of
two or more distinct personality states with amnesia between them. Each personality is it's own individual person and
may have
different names, memories, personal histories, and characteristics.
It is currently believed that DID forms due to structural dissociation. When
humans are below the ages of 7-9, we do not have a stable or integrated self/personality, and instead have parts. There is a part that craves love, a part that wants
food, a part that is sad, etc etc. (This is why babies will go from
crying to laughing in seemingly a few seconds.) When we reach the age of roughly 7-9, these parts, along with our experiences will integrate into one, whole personality. However, if a child experiences severe and repetitive trauma before this age, and does not have stable relationships with their primary caregivers (
Parent(s), etc) then the
brain will put up amnesic
walls as a way to protect itself from the memories of the terrible things that have/are happening, and these
walls prevent the personality from integrating, which results in the parts staying separate.
Contrary to popular belief and media representation, people with DID are not evil, nor dangerous. They are traumatized individuals who are more likely to hurt themselves than anyone else, and many have gone on to live happy, successful lives.
