Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)

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Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)

Dissociative identity disorder (once 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 cannot recall events that occur when the other personalities are active.

The condition is not due to substance abuse or another medical condition.

Dissociative identity disorder is likely linked to severe childhood trauma that is so great, 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 primary treatment for this condition. The goal is to slowly merge the different aspects of the personalities together (integration).

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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