Dissociative Identity Disorder / Multiple Personality Disorder FAQ (frequently asked questions) - Signs of Multiple Personality

Written by B.J.

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What signs should I look for if I think I and/or a friend/family member may have MPD?

Look for MPD if there is a pattern of:

History of depression or suicidal behavior
Childhood history of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse... reports one parent was very cold and critical; reports of "wonderful" parents by a person who is clearly emotionally troubled
Abusive relationships in adulthood
Strong attacks of shame; sees self as bad or undeserving sacrifices self for others feels does not deserve help; is a burden, reluctant to ask for help is sure you do not want to be troubled with seeing him or her
Reports being able to turn off pain or "put it out of my mind"
Self-mutilation or self-injuring behavior
Hears voices
Flashbacks (visual, auditory, somatic, affective, or behavioral)
History of unsuccessful therapy
Multiple past diagnoses (e.g.: major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, substance abuse)
Reports of odd changes or variations in physical skills or interests
Described by significant other as having 2 personalities or being a "Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde"
Family history of dissociation
Phobia or panic attacks
Substance abuse
Daytime enuresis or encopresis
History of psycho-physiological symptoms
Seizure-like episodes
History of nightmare and sleep disorders
History of sleepwalking
School problems
Reports psychic experiences
Anorexia or Bulimia
Sexual difficulties
History of shifting symptom picture (one day symptoms of this...next day symptoms of that)

Two positive items from among 1-15 mandates consideration of a diagnosis of a dissociative disorder (e.g.: Dissociative Disorder NOS=not otherwise specified or possible Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Four or more positive items (especially among 1-15) mandates serious consideration of a diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder.

For many observers, MPD is a fascinating, exotic, and weird phenomenon. For the patient, it is confusing, unpleasant, sometimes terrifying, and always a source of the unexpected. The treatment of MPD is excruciatingly uncomfortable for the patient. The dissociated trauma and memory must be faced, experienced, metabolized, and integrated into the patient's view of him/herself. Similarly, the nature of one's parents, one's life, and the day-to-day world must be re-thought. As each alter metabolizes his/her trauma, then that alter can yield it's separateness and re-integrate (because that alter is no longer needed to contain undigested trauma).

Recovery from MPD and childhood trauma takes something on the order of five years. It is a long and arduous process of mourning. The important thing to remember is that recovery does and can happen.