What is DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder )
MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder).
According to the Diagnostic Statistics Manual version IV (DSMIV) Which is the main book of reference, used by professionals in identifying Psychiatric disorders, Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder) is:
The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states (each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self).
At least two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the person's behavior.
Inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
But what does that mean in everyday terms? Basically MPD is an innovative and highly individual survival tactic. It is the creative attempt of a highly traumatized child to protect him/herself from the trauma of abuse (e.g.:" It isn't happening to me.") When these children dissociate (block) trauma, their "compartments of trauma" becomes "separate personalities/parts within their one self". Only children have sufficient flexibility (and vulnerability) to adapt to overwhelming traumatic experience by means of alternate personalities.
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