What is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?
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What is DID, formerly known as MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder)?
Dissociative Identity Disorder
The basics from Wikipedia
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a condition in which a single person displays multiple distinct identities or personalities (known as alter egos or alters), each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. The diagnosis requires that at least two personalities routinely take control of the individual's behavior with an associated memory loss that goes beyond normal forgetfulness; in addition, symptoms cannot be due to drug use or medical condition. The condition first appeared in current medical classification in the 1980 publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) classification, as multiple personality disorder (MPD), which is the term still used by the ICD-10.
There is a great deal of controversy surrounding the topic. There are many commonly disputed points about DID. These viewpoints critical of DID can be quite varied, with some taking the position that DID does not actually exist as a valid medical diagnosis, and others who think that DID may exist but is either always or usually an adverse side effect of therapy. DID diagnoses appear to be almost entirely confined to the North American continent, adding to the possibility that DID may not be a legitimate diagnosis.
My Personal Disclaimer
I'm not a therapist, a doctor, a scientist, or a researcher
As the subtitle says, I'm not an expert on DID. I'm just a regular person who has had a long relationship with someone with DID. I knew her years before she was diagnosed with multiple personalities (before they changed MPD to DID), and when she finally was diagnosed, it made a lot of sense to me. Before then, I just thought she was "forgetful" or "flaky" or "moody." But it was much more than that. You might be wondering how I wouldn't notice such an extreme disorder, but people with DID are amazing survivors. They hide their condition from those they don't trust, which is usually almost everyone. So you might notice some odd behavior from time to time, but unless they decide to let their guard down and let you in to their world, you won't know they experience the world in a way that is very different than the way we singletons experience it.
When I finally found out she had DID, it explained a lot of things that had happened over the years, from suicidal behavior to memory lapses, to a slight accent that would come and go, to a lot of other things that seemed odd. I even thought for a long time that her real name was just a nickname because one of her alters had told me her real name was something completely different. So I have never doubted her diagnosis or the existence of DID. You won't find any links or information here that suggest DID isn't real. That's my first bias.My second bias is that I don't think people with DID are "crazy." In fact, I think they're quite clever and amazing. At least, my friend is. She has been mostly integrated for over a decade, but I have known many of her alters and found them to be fascinating and creative (and much better artists than she is!). What's crazy is not the way she managed to stay alive, but the horrific things that happened to her when she was a child. Her abuser was absolutely crazy. She is not. I also don't think that someone who is multiple and wants to remain that way is crazy.
So that's my disclaimer - I'm no expert, I believe in DID, and I don't think people who have it are crazy.
Now that you've read the disclaimer, please feel free to continue on. I hope you find the information here useful and educational. This page is meant mainly to provide resources for friends and family of people who have been diagnosed with DID as a result of severe trauma or abuse. But if there are any multiples visiting, welcome to you all, too!
About the image shown here. The unicorn image here was drawn for me by Aria 8, a child alter of a woman with DID. It was drawn by the "same person" (i.e., that's what the rest of the world might think) as the image at the bottom of this lens that appears just before the guestbook. Both images shown here are displayed with permission of their creators.
DID Video on YouTube
Expression of D.I.D.
** Please note, this video may be triggering to some viewers. This montage is an amalgamation of the letters, emails and comments that we have received from survivors of trauma who have shared their experience of D.I.D. with us. D.I.D. emerges as a survival mechanism in order for the victim to survive their abuse. It is a gift and is feared by many who do not understand it. All of the emails that we have received are from well-functioning, "normal" every day people, who just happen to live with D.I.D. It is part of who they are but does not define them. We hope that this montage will shed some light into our interpretation of D.I.D. and allow conversation to take place, allowing survivors to end their fear and silence. Please visit our website for more: http://www.womenspeakoutnow.com Join us on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/menspeakout
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Causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder
A person with DID may have the following symptoms:- Exhibits at least two distinct personalities that that each have their own way of perceiving and relating to the world around
- Experiences episodes of amnesia or time loss beyond mere forgetfulness
They may also experience these symptoms, which may be present in people with any type of dissociative disorder (not just DID):
- Depression, anxiety or suicidal feelings
- Depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself)
- Flashbacks
- Sleep disorders
- Eating disorders
- Self-mutilation (such as cutting)
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Panic attacks or phobias
For more information, visit these links:
Sidran Foundation - Help for PTSD and Dissociation
Mayo Clinic - Signs and Symptoms of Dissociative Disorders
How Many People Have Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?
It's not quite as rare as once thought
According to the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, studies suggest that DID may exist in up to 1% of the population.But the incidence of all dissociative disorders is much higher. "Diagnosable dissociation occurs in approximately two to three percent of the general population," according to the ISSTD, and "immediately following severe trauma, the incidence of dissociative phenomena is remarkably high. Approximately 73% of individuals exposed to a traumatic incident will experience dissociative states during the incident or in the hours, days and weeks following."
Books About DID for Multiples
Self-help books for those with DID and those who love them
More Books for Survivors
Healing from abuse and PTSD
Books About DID: Personal Stories
But while I would recommend these for friends, family and significant others of those with DID because they can be very helpful in understanding the condition, I would caution anyone with DID to be aware that these stories contain accounts of severe abuse. Therefore, they may be triggering.
Inspiration from an Incest Survivor
Marilyn Van Derbur has been an outspoken advocate for abuse survivors
Marilyn Van Derbur was crowned Miss America while in college and later went on to become one of the most successful motivational speakers in the country. She is also an incest survivor. Although she does not have DID, I am including her on this lens as an inspiration for those who have suffered from sexual abuse (as many with DID have). Marilyn repressed her memories of sexual abuse for years, and is a great inspiration to those who have survived similar experiences.I heard her speak many years ago, and she was amazing. A version of that speech is available on her website, Miss America by Day.com and is called A Story of Hope. It shows her first public speech in which she told about her childhood incest. The speech is inspiring and should be non-triggering for most abuse and DID survivors. I highly recommend it.
A second, more recent speech called "The Journey of Recovery" is also available from the site and is equally good. It touches on many of the same issues as the first speech, but is spoken from the perspective of someone who has more years of recovery under her belt.
She has also authored a book called "Miss America by Day," which is available from the site or through Amazon. In addition to describing her personal journey of healing, the book offers a variety of self-help sections for abuse survivors and parents who want to protect their children. It's an excellent read for anyone wanting to have a better understanding of the painful process of healing from incest. The chapter titled, "Seven Things Never to Say" is especially good for friends and family who are trying to support a loved one who has survived sexual abuse. It will prevent you from sticking your foot in your mouth and saying something stupid.
Dissociative Identity Disorder Movies on DVD
Movies about DID
Others would disagree with me. Some people believe movies such as these present an overly-dramatic and not-altogether accurate picture of DID and aren't useful at all. I'd have to agree that these movies simplify and dramatize DID, but I think there is still a lot of value in them. I know my friend with DID watched Sybil a number of times because it gave her hope to see how Dr. Wilbur was able to help Sybil, and I think it also gives people an idea of the type of abuse that causes DID. So that's my viewpoint. You can decide for yourself.
Those movies are available on DVD, but it's also worth checking the TV listings for other movies. A re-make of Sybil aired on CBS in June 2008. Tammy Blanchard played Sybil and Jessica Lange played Dr. Wilbur in this version of the movie. Shelley Long of "Cheers" fame also starred in 1990 in a made-for-TV movie based on the book "When Rabbit Howls."
As with the books, I would caution that movies about DID can be triggering for multiples.
Sybil (Two-Disc Special Edition)
The two-disc 30th anniversary edition of this classic movie includes interviews with the screenwriter, actresses and producer, and also includes paintings created by "Sybil," which was a pseudonym for Shirley Mason, the real woman whose story was told in the movie. The interviews with the screenwriter are particularly interesting, as he answers a lot of questions about the fictional aspects of the movie and why they were included.
It's still the best movie ever produced about DID, IMHO.
United States of Tara
Showtime original TV series explores the lives of a woman with multiple personalities
I think what's exceptional about this show is that it focuses on the normal daily life of a person with DID. While movies such as "Sybil" and "Three Faces of Eve" have explored the trauma that causes DID and the difficulty of healing from extreme abuse, United States of Tara focuses on what it's like to live with DID. You see Tara with her family instead of her therapist.
The show is getting rave reviews for its serious content along with its sense of humor. After seeing the first two episodes, I thought it was brilliantly funny. After seeing more episodes, I'm not quite as enchanted. They've created Tara's alters to get maximum humor and drama out of the show, so I think some of it is very unrealistic and overblown based on what I know about DID (and I think it's very unlikely that alters would behave in a few of the ways the show has depcited). Having said that, I still think Collette is a terrific actress, and I still love the fact that the show isn't focused on Tara's disorder. It's about living with DID, not having DID run - or ruin - your life. That, in itself, is still enough reason to watch the show, IMHO.
If you love someone with DID, United States of Tara is a good reason to subscribe to Showtime. But if you don't have Showtime, you can watch the entire first episode free on their web site.
Trailer for United States of Tara
TV series stars Toni Collette as a woman with DID
Recovered Memories
Books on how the mind handles trauma
False Memory Syndrome
Unfortunately, skeptics have invented the phrase "false memory syndrome" or FMS to cast doubt on dissociative memories. This is not a medically classified condition. False Memory Syndrome is a phrase coined by an organization that advocates for people who say they have been falsely accused of childhood sexual abuse. It is not a medically recognized condition.
Traumatic Memories
In fact, studies have shown that the brain handles and stores traumatic memories differently than it handles "regular" memories and "forgetting" these events is not uncommon. In her book "The Stranger in the Mirror: Dissociation: The Hidden Epidemic," Marlene Steinberg, MD, notes that a 1994 study of 129 women with childhood sexual abuse histories documented by ER visits showed that 38 percent of the women did not recall the incidents when interviewed 17 years later. This book is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand dissociative memories.
For a quick but informative and impartial overview of how the brain handles traumatic memories, the Sidran Institute has a great fact sheet called What are Traumatic Memories?.
For more in-depth analysis of how a person can seemingly forget and then recover a repressed memory, "Unchained Memories" is another great resource. This book is not about DID, but it is helpful in understanding how the brain handles and remembers traumatic events. Author Lenore Terr, M.D., uses real stories to illustrate how memory works in traumatic situations and critically examines the difference between recovered memories and "false memories." It's balanced, insightful and very readable. Highly recommended.
If You or Your Loved One is a Cutter...
Another good book to read
A Bright Red Scream: Self-Mutilation and the Language of Pain
From Publishers Weekly: Strong's research into "cutters" combines journalistic passion with academic integrity. Through dozens of interviews conducted for a 1993 San Francisco Focus article, she explores the reasons that lead over two million Americans to injure themselves regularly and deliberately with such items as knives, razor blades and broken glass. Although most cutters are young women who have been emotionally, sexually, or physically abused as children, Strong's research shows that this specific type of self-harm also appears in other groups.
DID Awareness Shirts and Pins
DID/MPD Awareness Ribbon Button
Simple white button with the DID/MPD awareness ribbon.
Mug with DID/MPD Awareness Ribbon
A mug with the DID/MPD ribbon that says "Multiple Awareness"
DID awareness t-shirt
With a quotation from Walt Whitman
DID/MPD Awareness Teddy Bear
Snuggle with this bear-it understands!
white t-shirt with DID/MPD ribbon
White t-shirt with DID/MPD ribbon and the words DID/MPD awareness
The Most Famous Person with DID?
Who was the woman portrayed in the movie Sybil?
"Sybil" may well be the most famous person with DID, which was known as MPD when the book and movie were released. But who was she? The identity of the woman depicted in "Sybil" was revealed in 1999 to be Shirley Ardell Mason.
Shirley Ardell Mason (January 25, 1923 ? February 26, 1998) was an American psychiatric patient and commercial artist whose life was documented in 1973 in the book Sybil, which was dramatized in two films of the same name in 1976 and 2007. Both the book and the films used the name Sybil Isabel Dorsett to protect Mason's identity, though the 2007 remake stated Mason's name in its conclusion.
Another Well-Known Person with DID
Chris Costner-Sizemore was the subject of the movie "Three Faces of Eve"
Christine Costner-Sizemore was the woman whose case of DID was portrayed in the 1957 film and book, "Three Faces of Eve." Joanne Woodward played the main character. Her case also later became the inspiration for the song "Christine" by the English rock band Siouxsie & the Banshees.
Chris Costner Sizemore (born Chris Costner April 4 1927) is a woman who, in the 1950s, was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. Her case was depicted in the book and film The Three Faces of Eve by her psychiatrists, Corbett H. Thigpen and Hervey M. Cleckley. She lived for many years in South Carolina.
In accordance with then-current modes of thought on the disorder, Thigpen reported that Sizemore had developed multiple personalities as a result of her witnessing a horrifying accidental death and two serious nonfatal accidents within three months as a small child. By Sizemore's own report, these incidents triggered the evidencing of selves which were already present. "Despite authorities claims to the contrary, my former alters wer...
More Famous People: Herschel Walker
One of football's greatest running backs reveals he has DID
Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder
From Amazon: Born into a poor, but loving family in the South, Herschel was an overweight child with a stutter who suffered terrible bullying at school. He now understands that he created "alters" who could withstand abuse. But beyond simply enduring, other "alters" came forward to help Herschel overcome numerous obstacles and, by the time he graduated high school, become an athlete recognized on a national level.
In Breaking Free, Herschel tells his story -- from the joys and hardships of childhood to his explosive impact on college football to his remarkable professional career. And he gives voice and hope to those suffering from DID. Herschel shows how this disorder played an integral role in his accomplishments and how he has learned to live with it today. His compelling account testifies to the strength of the human spirit and its ability to overcome any challenge.
Herschel Walker Video on DID
Herschel Walker on Dissociative Identity Disorder
Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL running back Herschel Walker talks to WNYC's Leonard Lopate about his struggles with dissociative identity disorder, which nearly drove him to suicide. http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2008/04/15/segments/96866
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Stand Up and Be Counted
I've been pleasantly surprised over the years to meet other people who know or have known someone with DID. If 1% of the population has this disorder, it's likely most of us have encountered someone with DID (although you will never know about it unless they trust you enough to tell you). If you know someone with DID, please sound off below.
There is also a guestbook at the bottom of the page where you can leave longer comments. It's a bit difficult to leave long, thoughtful comments in this section, but the guestbook has a lot more room for feedback.
Do you know someone with DID?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, I do.
Karin Hiebert says:
yes, I have been diagnosed with D.I.D.
Posted June 01, 2009
CC says:
Treetac I would love to chat with someone else who understands this side of the story.
Posted April 27, 2009
CC says:
Vanman yes I do, my girlfriend's alters drive, cook food, play with toys, and when she comes back her house is a mess and she does not remember a thing...quite frightening for them I think.
Posted April 27, 2009
db49 says:
Thank-you for a much-needed look at a condition I am more than famliar with. There is a great deal of solid information contained on your lens, and I hope it gets read as much as it should. Thanks again.
Posted April 18, 2009
treetac says:
CC I am in the same situations... any chance you would like to talk.
Posted March 29, 2009
No, I don't.
DID/Dissociative Identity Disorder Links
Learn more about DID
- ISSTD - FAQ About Dissociation
- Frequently asked questions about all types of dissociation from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
- Sidran Foundation
- PTSD and Dissociation Resources for Survivors, Supporters and Professionals.
- NAMI - Dissociative Identity Disorder
- NAMI's fact sheet for Dissociative Identity Disorder formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder.
- MayoClinic.com - Dissociative disorders
- Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes and treatment of a variety of dissociative disorders, including DID.
- Sidran - How to Choose a Therapist
- What to look for and how to choose a therapist for post-traumatic stress and dissociative conditions
- Sidran: Essential reading list
- Essential reading list of articles and books on trauma
- Astraea's Resources and Controversy - Multiple Personality
- Multiple personality information. Focus on living multiple. Empowerment for all multiples, MPD/DID, natural plurals. We are everywhere!
- Newsweek.com - Unmasking Sybil
- A re-examination of the most famous psychiatric patient in history
- Newsweek.com - Overcoming Multiple Personality Disorder
- What is it like to live with 17 alternate selves? A survivor of multiple personality disorder discusses the disease and the painful integration process that made her whole.
- Coping with Dissociative Identity Disorder - Multiple Personality Disorder
- Dissociativie Identity Disorder, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder: Share ideas to cope with the symptoms. Help me Help others with MPD / DID. Stories, tips and links to other resources
- Dissociation.com
- Some nontraditional theories on multiplicity by Dr. Ralph Allison.
- NeeDID Exchange - A DID/ DD NETWORK
- Dissociative Identity Disorder Support and information exchange for individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder, DID, MPD, Multiple Personality Disorder and other Trauma related Dissociative Disorders and their Supportive Others.
- Lady Jz Talk Zone
- Personal site with inspiration and links
- Trauma Information Pages - Comprehensive Resources on Traumatic-Stress, PTSD & Dissociation
- Educational site focused on emotional trauma and traumatic stress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation. Trauma information for clinicians, researchers, students and an amazingly extensive link list.
- Labyrinth Of People
- LABYRINTH OF PEOPLE SITE - understanding multiple personality disorder
- Many Voices Press - Hope for People Recovering from Trauma & Dissociation
- Words of Hope for People Recovering from Trauma & Dissociation, PTSD, DID, MPD, DSM-IV,
multiple-personality - Keepers Korner - information and support for people with DID/MPD and their families
- Site by a multiple offers an art, gallery, blog and resources
- Pilgrim's Journey
- An excellent blog by a woman who has DID
- Blooming Lotus
- Very informative blog by a woman who has integrated from DID
Artwork By A Woman with DID

Let Us Know You Were Here
If this information was helpful, please leave a message!
qlcoach wrote...
DID is a painful and complicated disorder. Thank you for sharing all of this valuable information. I met you on Lensroll. Hope you will visit my new lens about emotional healing. Gary Eby, author and therapist.
AbbasAbedi wrote...
Excellent Lens. 5*
If you get a chance check out my Instant Stress Management lens.
lisadh wrote...
in reply to cassssssssie Yes, DID can affect a patient's family. "How" is a pretty big question to answer because it depends on so many factors. Also, it depends on whether you're talking about the family of origin (the one in which the child grew up) or their own family (spouse and kids) when they're grown.
It's been a long time since I read the book, but I think Cameron West's First Person Plural touches on this topic, as he was married at the time he was diagnosed, and Showtime's United States of Tara series deals with the impact of DID on a family. But as I noted above, United States of Tara is a TV show designed to be humorous, so it's accuracy is not always so great.
spirituality wrote...
Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :) & I would be honoured to have you in my http://www.squidoo.com/groups/consciousness group?
lisadh wrote...
in reply to Jessie Jessie, you made my day. :-) You WERE very brave and clever to survive, and I hope you will learn to honor that. Stick with the therapy. Life will get better. Good luck to you!
Jessie wrote
Thank you.... for more then you can know.....I have DID, and I'm in a support group for it and yesterday i was upset cause I have an issue with thinking I'm crazy, I know it sounds like a pity thing but I just hate the missing time, the body memories, the memories itself and i think it's all a bit crazy , so my therapist who runs the group ever so calmly said that untill i face that what I have is a gift and something that is amazing, I can't come back and see her, but her saying that or other members confirming that no....were not crazy doesn't hold the same meaning that someone who doesn't even have DID but can be so utterly supportive, that I'm not crazy, and that the way I chose to cope at the age of 7 is very brave and clever, so thank you again!!!!,
lisadh wrote...
in reply to GrowWear Yes, that little bit about Truddi's problem with electronics was interesting!! And it has happened to my friend, too. Wild, eh?
Joan4 wrote...
This is an excellent lens about a very confusing subject. I am so glad you created this and dispelled some of the myths and untruths. Yes, I believe that DID is a very real condition. And probably misdiagnosed or not diagnosed more times than we realize.
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Table of Contents
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- My Personal Disclaimer
- DID Video on YouTube
- Causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder
- How Many People Have Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?
- Books About DID for Multiples
- More Books for Survivors
- Books About DID: Personal Stories
- Inspiration from an Incest Survivor
- Dissociative Identity Disorder Movies on DVD
- United States of Tara
- Trailer for United States of Tara
- Recovered Memories
- If You or Your Loved One is a Cutter...
- DID Awareness Shirts and Pins
- The Most Famous Person with DID?
- Another Well-Known Person with DID
- More Famous People: Herschel Walker
- Herschel Walker Video on DID
- Stand Up and Be Counted
- DID/Dissociative Identity Disorder Links
- Artwork By A Woman with DID
- Let Us Know You Were Here
- You're Supporting the Polly Klaas Foundation
- About the Author
About the Author
Lensmaster lisadh, aka Lisa Howard, has been a member since July 23 2007, has rated 631 lenses, favorited 83, and has created 174 lenses from scratch. Lisa Howard donates their royalties to Action Against Hunger and A Day of Hope. This member's top-ranked page is "Free Summer Movies for Kids". See all my lenses
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