Multiple Personality (also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder) is a mental health disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities. It is believed to be caused by a trauma experienced in childhood or adolescence. People with multiple personalities may have difficulty controlling their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, and may experience memory gaps or difficulty maintaining relationships.
Multiple personalities are thought to arise as a way of coping with traumatic experiences, and the individual personalities may take on distinct characteristics and be associated with different moods, behaviors, and memories. For example, one personality may remember a traumatic event while another does not, or one may be more aggressive while another is more passive.
The diagnosis of Multiple Personality is made through a comprehensive clinical assessment that includes a physical examination, a psychiatric evaluation, and psychological testing. Treatment usually involves psychotherapy, medication, and supportive care.
For further reading, please see the following scientific journal articles:
• Van Oorsouw, K., & Van Zomeren, A. (2017). Multiple personality disorder: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 53, 127-136.
• Loewenstein, R. J., Putnam, F. W., & Roth, S. (2003). Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders: Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Treatment. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 9(6), 377-385.
• Darnell, A., & Putnam, F. W. (1997). Dissociation and dissociative disorders in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 20(2), 283-307.