6.+Disability+research

Disability Research


 * Dissociative identity disorder **

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a psychiatric diagnosis and describes a condition in which a person displays at least two distinct identities each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. The name for this diagnosis is also multiple personality disorder. In both systems of terminology, the diagnosis requires that at least two personalities (one may be the host) routinely take control of the individual's behavior with an associated memory loss that goes beyond normal forgetfulness; in addition, symptoms cannot be the temporary effects of drug use or a general medical condition.

Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder) is a common effect of severe trauma during early childhood, usually extreme, repetitive physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse. It is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process, which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. Dissociative identity disorder is thought to stem from trauma experienced by the person with the disorder. The dissociative aspect is thought to be a coping mechanism -- the person literally dissociates himself from a situation or experience that's too violent, traumatic, or painful to assimilate with his conscious self.

Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct or split identities or personality states that continually have power over the person's behavior. With dissociative identity disorder, there's also an inability to recall key personal information that is too far-reaching to be explained as mere forgetfulness. With dissociative identity disorder, there are also highly distinct memory variations, which fluctuate with the person's split personality.

The "alters" or different identities have their own age, sex, or race. Each has his or her own postures, gestures, and distinct way of talking. Sometimes the alters are imaginary people; sometimes they are animals. As each personality reveals itself and controls the individuals' behavior and thoughts, it's called "switching." Switching can take seconds to minutes to days. When under hypnosis, the person's different "alters" or identities may be very responsive to the therapist's requests.

Different treatment can be given but the deficiency cannot be cure. It can be treated with psychotherapy sessions, medications that should be well monitored in order to help the person cope with their deficiency and self-help by establishing a support group with regular talks in which the people with the same condition will be present.

**SYMPTOMS OF DID:**

- Depression - Mood swings - Suicidal tendencies - Sleep disorders (insomnia, night terror and sleep walking) - Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias (flashbacks, strong reactions to loud noises or "triggers") - Alcohol and drug abuse - Compulsions and rituals - Psychotic-like symptoms (including auditory and visual hallucinations) - Eating disorders

__** SOURCE: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/default.htm **__