Multiple+Personality+Disorder

=__**Multiple Personality Disorder and College**__=
 * By: Katelin Langel**

Let's be honest, college is scary. There are so many different faces and people you don't know anything about. Some of you will bust out of your shell and be who you are. Others might meet many new faces that they could lose their own identity. Multiple personalities can slowly start to affect you as you act differently around certain situations or people. Even though DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) is a bit more severe than just acting different, it is still something you should learn about. That way you can learn how to identify and how to help people you might meet in your life who have it.

Outline of what will be covered: 1. Background Info of DID 2. The Truth Behind the Disorder 3. Symptoms of DID 3.1 DID test link 4. How to Treat DID 5. Youtube Video



1. Background of DID:

 * Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities,or personality states,are present in---and alternately take control of---an individual. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
 * Some background of DID is that it used to be thought of as possession by demons back then and still is thought of even now. Many religions think it's possession, while others think those people are just crazy.

2. The Truth Behind the Disorder:

 * There are many myths people believe that DID isn't real or that it's faked. Although it's hard to believe someone can have up to 15 personalities, that doesn't mean it isn't real. Multiple personalities is a dramatic phenomena that had been studies for decades now.Those who study this phenomena have proven this disorder to be real by many test and EKG screenings. However, the media has part of the blame for this uncertainty.
 * Many people have an image of these myths from movies such as Secret Window, Fight Club, and many crime shows. These characters develop multiple personalities to fulfill their dark desires and criminal impulses. This is in fact not true. People who have DID develop this from traumatizing events in childhood. This can range from sexual and physical abuse, horrible accidents, war memories, and so on. It's not a disorder that can just be created on an instant but it is evolved overtime.

3. Symptoms of DID:



 * -Changing levels of functioning, from highly effective to nearly disabled
 * -Severe headaches or pain in other parts of the body
 * -Depersonalization (episodes of feeling disconnected or detached from one’s body and thoughts)
 * -Derealization (perceiving the external environment as unreal)
 * -Depression or mood swings
 * -Unexplained changes in eating and sleeping patterns
 * -Anxiety, nervousness, or panic attacks
 * -Problems functioning sexually
 * -Suicide attempts or self-injury
 * -Substance abuse
 * -Amnesia (memory loss) or a sense of "lost time"
 * -Hallucinations (sensory experiences that are not real, such as hearing voices)

3.1 Personality Test Link:
[|DID Test]
 * Here is a test link if you are concerned with a possibility or having this disorder.

4. How to Treat DID:

 * There are many way you can treat DID. All treatment is to help the person release painful memories that could have caused the disorder in the first place. These treatments also help insure the well being of the patient so he/she can get back to normal functioning. There is no specific treatment for a person. Some methods used are:
 * =====Psychotherapy: This kind of therapy for mental and emotional disorders uses psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems. =====
 * =====Cognitive therapy: This type of therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional thinking patterns. =====
 * =====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">Medication: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">There is no medication to treat the dissociative disorders themselves. However, a person with a dissociative disorder who also suffers from depression or anxiety might benefit from treatment with a medication such as an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine. =====
 * =====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">Family therapy: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This kind of therapy helps to educate the family about the disorder and its causes, as well as to help family members recognize symptoms of a recurrence. =====
 * =====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">Creative therapies (art therapy, music therapy): <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">These therapies allow the patient to explore and express his or her thoughts and feelings in a safe and creative way. =====
 * =====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">Clinical hypnosis: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #363534; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This is a treatment technique that uses intense relaxation, concentration and focused attention to achieve an altered state of consciousness or awareness, allowing people to explore thoughts, feelings and memories they might have hidden from their conscious minds. =====
 * [|Treatments Link]

Youtube Video:
media type="custom" key="24591812" width="329" height="144"

Overall I hope this expanded your knowledge on Multiple Personality Disorder or DID. Feel free to take the test link I shared if you think that this disorder could be you. Even though this probably won't occur to you during college in a short time, you may be exposed to someone you meet who is. That way, you'll be able to identify and help whoever has it.

References: code Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder). (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2013,from Cleveland Clinic website: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/dissociative_disorders/ hic_dissociative_identity_disorder_multiple_personality_disorder.asx code code Muller, R. T. (2013, January 19). The Media and Dissociative Identity Disorder.Retrieved December 2, 2013, from Psychology Today website: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/talking-about-trauma/201301/the-media-and-dissociative-identity-disorder code code Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder). (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2013,from Psychology Today website: http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder code