Everything You Need To Know About Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Disorder Facts And Statistics

Because studies are relatively recent, it is unknown how common dissociative identity disorder truly is. It was once considered to be rare, but experts say it is more common than previously thought. Due to the increase of child abuse documented since the beginning of this century, some believe at least one percent of the population might suffer from DID, while others argue this number can reach up to three percent. This disorder can be treated with antipsychotics and anticonvulsants, as well as antidepressants, and is believed to be a trauma-related disorder. The name dissociative identity disorder was created in 1994 to replace its former term: multiple personality disorder. The Sidran Institute is devoted to education around trauma disorder, and it believes individuals with DID have a posttraumatic stress disorder.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Vs Schizophrenia

Many individuals incorrectly believe schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder are the same condition. However, this isn't the case. Not only are DID and schizophrenia caused by different things, but they have very different symptom presentations. Schizophrenia is characterized by psychosis, which may take the form of delusions or hallucinations. Patients with this condition may believe things that aren't true or speak to individuals who aren't there. Schizophrenia may also include catatonia, disorganized speech, and inappropriate social interactions. DID patients, on the other hand, alternate between multiple 'alters.' Different alters may exhibit different behaviors and have different names and characteristics. Dissociative identity disorder also causes amnesia, as affected individuals typically can't remember what each alter does when another is fronting. Some patients with dissociative disorders report being able to talk to their other alters, but in classically-presenting DID, there's no mental interaction between alters.