Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder

Abstract

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a complex, posttraumatic, developmental disorder for which we now, after four decades of research, have an authoritative research base, but a number of misconceptualizations and myths about the disorder remain, compromising both patient care and research. This article examines the empirical literature pertaining to recurrently expressed beliefs regarding DID: (1) belief that DID is a fad, (2) belief that DID is primarily diagnosed in North America by DID experts who overdiagnose the disorder, (3) belief that DID is rare, (4) belief that DID is an iatrogenic, rather than trauma-based, disorder, (5) belief that DID is the same entity as borderline personality disorder, and (6) belief that DID treatment is harmful to patients. The absence of research to substantiate these beliefs, as well as the existence of a body of research that refutes them, confirms their mythical status. Clinicians who accept these myths as facts are unlikely to carefully assess for dissociation. Accurate diagnoses are critical for appropriate treatment planning. If DID is not targeted in treatment, it does not appear to resolve. The myths we have highlighted may also impede research about DID. The cost of ignorance about DID is high not only for individual patients but for the whole support system in which they reside. Empirically derived knowledge about DID has replaced outdated myths. Vigorous dissemination of the knowledge base about this complex disorder is warranted.

Parallel-Distinct Structures of Internal World and External Reality: Disavowing and Re-Claiming the Self-Identity in the Aftermath of Trauma-Generated Dissociation

“…The partial phenomenological overlap between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and dissociative disorders -which both have a trauma-related origin- has been well-documented by empirical research (Korzekwa et al, 2009; Brand et al, 2016). For example, in a controlled study of a high-functioning college population (Şar et al, 2006), a significant overlap between the two syndromes was substantiated: 72.5% of those with BPD had a dissociative disorder in contrast to only 15.0% of the non-BPD controls.…”

Culture, trauma and dissociation: A broadening perspective for our field

“…Dissociative identity disorder (DID) in particular, is found in prevalence studies around the world whenever researchers conduct systematic assessments using validated interviews (Brand et al, 2016). A systematic search by the same authors of published, peer-reviewed DID studies during the period 2005-2013 yielded 340 articles (Brand et al, 2016).…”

“…Dissociative identity disorder (DID) in particular, is found in prevalence studies around the world whenever researchers conduct systematic assessments using validated interviews (Brand et al, 2016). A systematic search by the same authors of published, peer-reviewed DID studies during the period 2005-2013 yielded 340 articles (Brand et al, 2016). Seventy studies, from 48 institutions in16 countries, were empirical research studies of patients diagnosed with DID, where 40% of studies used structured interviews to diagnose DID (Brand et al, 2016).…”

“…A systematic search by the same authors of published, peer-reviewed DID studies during the period 2005-2013 yielded 340 articles (Brand et al, 2016). Seventy studies, from 48 institutions in16 countries, were empirical research studies of patients diagnosed with DID, where 40% of studies used structured interviews to diagnose DID (Brand et al, 2016).…”

Reconsidering Hypnosis and Psychoanalysis: Toward Creating a Context for Understanding

“…Their efforts to undermine those who disagreed with their views are discussed in two books in preparation (Crook, in preparation; Kluft, in preparation). The available evidence, reviewed recently by Brand et al (2016), fails to support their polarized skeptical positions.…”