Dissociative identity disorder as a wide range of defense mechanisms in children with a history of early childhood trauma

Abstract

Introduction: Dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder, involves simultaneous manifestation of multiple alternative personalities in one human body. The disorder is still a puzzle to contemporary researchers. In comparison to the United States, where the detection rate of this disorder is growing, in Poland, it is still a niche issue, unknown to many scientists and clinicians. Rather alarmingly, this situation has remained the same for many years now. Objective: The aim of the present study is to draw attention to the adaptive character of dissociative identity disorder as a defense mechanism in children who have experienced extremely traumatic events in early childhood. The work also sets itself the task of disseminating knowledge about multiple personality disorder in the Polish scientific community, with the hope of encouraging wider research in this area in Poland. Material and Methods: To investigate this issue, we searched articles available in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Polish Medical Bibliography (Polska Bibliografia Lekarska) databases for the years 1960–2018. The following search terms were used: multiple personality, dissociative identity disorder, dissociative identity disorder and children. On the basis of a meta-analysis of the available literature, we offer a general characterization of the disorder, describe its symptomatology, present several theories of its etiology and conclude it through the prism of its adaptive function. Results and Discussion: From the analysis of the gather data, we can conclude that multiple personality disorder can be a broad variant of the child's defense mechanisms against extreme, traumatic events from childhood, which they try to cope with by creating alter personalities. Abused children create other representations of the Self to be able to rid themselves of suffering, a process that is necessary for them to survive and further develop mentally and physically. Conclusions: There is no doubt that Polish research on this disorder is much needed. It could provide more information on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple personality. In addition, a better understanding of the issue might bring us closer to the understanding of how the human mind works.

Exploring the Awareness of Dissociative Identity Disorder through Pakistani Drama Serial Ishq Zahe Naseeb

“…One of the major characteristics of dissociative identity disorder is switching between different personality states. This switching process involves rolling of eyes, absent gaze, heart and breathing rates will be changed, change in posture, tone and expression (Cudzik et al, 2019). Each person will experience different transitions as compared to one another.…”

“…According to the psychoanalytic model, defence mechanisms like splitting and dissociation (Cudzik et al, 2019), drawn from Freud's Studies on Hysteria' are the causes of developing alters in dissociative identity disorder. In dissociation, specific thoughts and memories get separated from a person's rest of the personality (Cudzik et al, 2019). A person cannot differentiate between reality and fantasy.…”

Negative Parenting Practices, Childhood Trauma, and Paranoid Personality Disorder

“…The traumatic childhood events include physical abuse, such as beating, kicking, getting enemas, and being imprisoned in a small dark space. They also involve various kinds of sexual practice and forms of psychological trauma, such as constant denigration, humiliation, and forcing the child to watch their siblings being sexually abused [11]. These traumatic childhood experiences have a profound influence over offspring's functioning in different areas [12].…”

Treatment for childhood and adolescent dissociation: A systematic review.

“…Other dissociative disorders include dissociative amnesia and depersonalization–derealization disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Dissociative disorders are associated with a high burden of illness and a poor quality of life, with symptoms being linked to self-injurious and suicidal behaviors, interpersonal and relational difficulties, hospitalizations, and comorbid mental health diagnoses (Cudzik et al, 2019; Dorahy et al, 2014; Loewenstein, 2018).…”

“…Studies have provided estimates in child and adolescent populations for court-referred adolescents (1.3%; Brosky & Lally, 2004), youth in the general population (4.9%; Martínez-Taboas et al, 2006), and in high-risk children who have experienced trauma (19%–25%; Hagan et al, 2015; Silberg, 2000). While there is ongoing debate regarding the etiology, processes, and sequelae of dissociative symptoms, there is a consensus that there is a strong link between dissociative disorders and childhood maltreatment (Cudzik et al, 2019; Dorahy et al, 2014; Loewenstein, 2018; Sar et al, 2017; Silberg, 2000). This association is usually stronger when the maltreatment is perpetrated by a primary attachment figure, is chronic in nature, and/or is severe (Dorahy et al, 2014; Loewenstein, 2018; Sar et al, 2017; Silberg, 2000).…”