Dissociative Identity Disorder - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Dissociative identity disorder appears to be a rather common mental disorder ande also known as Multiple Personality Disorder. Dissociative identity disorder is increasingly understood as a complex and chronic posttraumatic psychopathology. It is characterized by a disintegration of the ego. Dissociation is the disruption of the normal integrative processes of consciousness, perception, memory, and identity that define selfhood. Dissociative identity disorder appears to be caused by the interaction of several factors. The biological stress caused by the original trauma is relieved by partially shunting the emotional response, which causes the reptilian complex to learn to dissociate reactively. Head trauma is the most common cause of death from physical abuse. Intra-abdominal injuries from impacts are the second most common cause of death. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in -- and alternately take control of an individual. Dissociation is defined as a complex mental process that provides a coping mechanism for individuals confronting painful and/or traumatic situations. Girls experience childhood sexual abuse more commonly than boys, with a female-to-male ratio of 10:1. Girls, more than boys, are most at risk for sexual abuse. About 97 to 98% of adults with dissociative identity disorder report having been abused during childhood.