Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)
Current as of: May 28, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine & Lisa S. Weinstock MD – Psychiatry
Dissociative identity disorder (in the past called multiple personality disorder) is a rare condition in which a person has two or more separate personalities. The person often does not know that the other personalities exist. And he or she cannot recall events that occur when the other personalities are active. The…
Current as of: May 28, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Lisa S. Weinstock MD - Psychiatry
05/28/2019
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
Dissociative identity disorder (in the past called multiple personality disorder) is a rare condition in which a person has two or more separate personalities. The person often does not know that the other personalities exist. And he or she cannot recall events that occur when the other personalities are active.
The condition is not due to substance use or another medical condition.
Dissociative identity disorder is likely linked to severe childhood trauma. The person’s defense mechanism separates different aspects of his or her own personality in order to deal with the physical and emotional pain. Eventually, new “personalities” emerge and establish their own lifestyles in the same individual.
Professional counseling is usually the main treatment for this condition. The goal is to slowly merge the different aspects of the personalities together (integration).
Current as of: May 28, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine & Lisa S. Weinstock MD – Psychiatry
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
Current as of: May 28, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Lisa S. Weinstock MD - Psychiatry
05/28/2019
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.