Dissociative Identity Disorder with Five Alters: A Case Report

Abstract

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex disorder that stems from repeated trauma during childhood. Although not particularly rare, DID is surrounded by myths and stigma that prevent it from being diagnosed and managed as an authentic mental condition. The purpose of this case report is to present a typical case of DID to raise awareness of and decrease the stigma on DID and to reaffirm that this disorder requires proper treatment. The patient is a 25-year-old male diagnosed with DID and had five alters consisting of: two protectors, a prosecutor, a suicidal alter, a child alter, and one debatable female alter. He was given psychoeducation without any oral treatment as the second alter was not open to any treatment that could make the female – either a hallucination or an alter – disappear. In contrast to media portrayals and myths about DID, the patient did not in fact have any supernatural powers nor commit any crimes. He also had distinctive manifestations of DID that were in accordance with the diagnostic criteria of DID. The conclusion of the case report is that DID in the patient is a true diagnosis, and the treatment should be done regardless of any myths and stigma in society.