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.
