Dissociative Identity Disorder aka Multiple Personality Disorder.
This is a supposed condition that has two names - the professionals can't even decide on a name for it.
I saw an interview last night on BBC's HARDTalk with Chris(tine) Costner Sizemore. Apparently she had at one point 21 'distinct' personalities. The first two were called Eve White and Eve Black.
Now what struck me was that there was a religious undertone to her 'personalities'. For example, in therapy, her 'personalities' would always display in groups of three (holy trinity). Eve White for example was a deeply religious, kind and generous woman. On the other hand, Eve Black was a "party girl" and dressed provocatively.
Which suggests to me that they are not entirely dissociated because they are not entirely distinct.
Also, she admitted that at least one of her 'personalities' (Jane) was created / implanted by her own therapist. This again gives credence to the view that MPD is merely the result of suggestions by therapists which manifest within the patient. This is different from what MPD purports to be; a manifestation of distinct personalities from within the person, being manifest without any external influence (ie the suggestions of a doctor)
But in more general terms, almost every case of MPD is in North America. There are very very few MPD / DID cases reported outside the US. Which again is odd because if it were a genuine condition then it would be more widespread and certainly not localised to such a small and specific geographical area.
I was very intrigued by this and wondered what everyone else thought of the condition? Its an interesting idea but I don't know if its a verifiable medical condition.
I have also read that although many MPD cases are from people who were abused as children, the multiple personalities ONLY manifest AFTER therapy has begun (in the majority of cases).
A common view from the 'non-believers' is that the suggestions of therapists or their own willingness to diagnose MPD are what creates it in the patients (not that it was already present within the patients before therapy began).
Comments, please.
This is a supposed condition that has two names - the professionals can't even decide on a name for it.
I saw an interview last night on BBC's HARDTalk with Chris(tine) Costner Sizemore. Apparently she had at one point 21 'distinct' personalities. The first two were called Eve White and Eve Black.
Now what struck me was that there was a religious undertone to her 'personalities'. For example, in therapy, her 'personalities' would always display in groups of three (holy trinity). Eve White for example was a deeply religious, kind and generous woman. On the other hand, Eve Black was a "party girl" and dressed provocatively.
Which suggests to me that they are not entirely dissociated because they are not entirely distinct.
Also, she admitted that at least one of her 'personalities' (Jane) was created / implanted by her own therapist. This again gives credence to the view that MPD is merely the result of suggestions by therapists which manifest within the patient. This is different from what MPD purports to be; a manifestation of distinct personalities from within the person, being manifest without any external influence (ie the suggestions of a doctor)
But in more general terms, almost every case of MPD is in North America. There are very very few MPD / DID cases reported outside the US. Which again is odd because if it were a genuine condition then it would be more widespread and certainly not localised to such a small and specific geographical area.
I was very intrigued by this and wondered what everyone else thought of the condition? Its an interesting idea but I don't know if its a verifiable medical condition.
I have also read that although many MPD cases are from people who were abused as children, the multiple personalities ONLY manifest AFTER therapy has begun (in the majority of cases).
A common view from the 'non-believers' is that the suggestions of therapists or their own willingness to diagnose MPD are what creates it in the patients (not that it was already present within the patients before therapy began).
Comments, please.