Talk about mental disorders It is immersing ourselves in a space of enormous complexity. An area in which there are really many things that remain to be discovered. Science has advanced by leaps and bounds in understanding the human mind and its functioning, but the reality is that there are still many mysteries that are hidden in the brain and the actions of the mind. Can you imagine not having a single identity, but dancing among several, at different times, and as a response to the dissociation of the reality that you live? Today in Supercurious we want to talk to you about what is multiple personality disorder, also known as dissociative disorder. Can you come with us? Well, let’s get started.
What is multiple personality disorder?
Multiple personality disorder was originally called that, now it is known by the name of dissociative identity disorder. This must be very clear: it has nothing to do with schizophrenia. They are two different diagnoses.
A person suffering from this disease believes that they have more than one identity. That is, there are several personalities in a single body. To some degree associated with memory loss (amnesic time), since at least two of the personalities are the ones that are routinely present.
Dissociative disorder is a chronic condition that can last for life. Among the data associated with it are matters such as:
- It is more common in children
- It has no distinction of races
- It is also known that women tend to have more acute, less violent symptoms and more episodes of amnesia.
- For their part, men tend to manifest themselves violently and present denial of these symptoms.
When we talk about what multiple personality disorder is and how people who suffer from it experience it, we find ourselves with a feeling similar to that of being ringing awake, but without being able to leave that state voluntarily.
Another quite serious complexity that can be associated with dissociative disorder is that people who suffer from this disorder, in general, They may present suicidal feelings and even try to carry it out numerous times, although from different sides of his personality.
It is a disease of slow diagnosis. In fact, they are reported multiple personality cases which can take up to seven years to be diagnosed. It also does not have a cure or a specific medication, but it can be treated with therapy or as depression and anxiety.
1. Symptoms of dissociative disorder
Recognizing what multiple personality disorder is involves being able to distinguish what are the symptoms that are associated with this disease. The first and most common of these is memory loss or amnesia for certain periods, events, people and personal information. There is also a feeling of being separated from yourself and your emotions, as well as the perception that the people and things around you are distorted or unreal.
Added to dissociative disorder is the inability to cope well with emotional stress or professional. Stress also carries over to important relationships, affecting them. The problems of mental healthsuch as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts are also seen as symptoms of the disorder.
It is important to highlight the fact that this mental condition does not necessarily imply that any of the personalities is that of a murderer or rapist or simply evil. People With Dissociative Identity Disorder Are Not Necessarily Dangerousthey can be completely innocent personalities, who live in the same body.
2. The causes of multiple personality disorder
Understanding what multiple personality disorder is also leads us to wonder what are the causes that generate it. Psychiatrists, neurologists and researchers into the functioning of the mind point out that it is about the manifestation of a way of coping with traumas. This is related to the fact that it is a common disorder in children.
Children who are subjected to emotional abuse, sexual abuse or physical abuse, or even that they grow up in a domestic environment where fear and insecurity are encouraged, they may be people who develop dissociative disorder. Also those who have gone through situations of intense stress, such as wars or natural disasters.
The explanation of what multiple personality disorder is and how it works in the mind of a child is related to the fact that in childhood personal identity is still in formation. That is why the child has a facility to detach from himself and observe the trauma from the outside, as if it were happening to another person.
3. Possible treatments
Assuming what multiple personality disorder is, is also understanding that there is no specific treatment to cure or solve it. That is why each doctor usually treats the patient in a personalized way, depending on their case. In this regard, treatment plans manage any condition that occurs along with dissociative identity disorder. Psychotherapy is perhaps the most common non-pharmacological approach.
It is a talk therapy that can be governed by currents such as cognitive behavioral therapy. What is pursued is to help a person to work and learn to accept the triggers that cause personality changes. In this way it is committed to integrating identity, assertively dealing with traumas.
There are some schools of thought that defend that other palliative techniques or treatments are also useful to manage dissociative disorder, such as therapies related to artistic expression, body movement, relaxation or meditation.
And you, Did you know what multiple personality disorder is? Did you have any idea that dissociative disorder can arise as a consequence of traumas that have not been managed in a good way, or traumatic environments?
If you are interested in learning more about issues related to this disorder, you should not miss one of the most shocking cases, that of a man who had 24 personalities. Read the article in which we tell you about the history of Billy Milligan. We find ourselves with an upcoming super curious topic!
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