Multiple Personality Disorder

by: devika

Multiple personality disorder (MPD), is a condition in which a patient displays numerous distinct identities or personalities. Each of the personalities, also known as alters, has its own way of perceiving, interacting and reacting with the environment. Patients diagnosed with MPD exhibit a wide array of symptoms that fluctuate with time. The severity of the condition also varies from patient to patient. Apart from the symptoms mentioned below, patients also experience other symptoms, such as those seen in epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders and eating disorders. Listed below are the signs and symptoms of multiple personality disorder.

Causes:

The precise cause is not known though DID is highly correlated with physical or sexual abuse in children, and many use dissociation as a defense. They seek to slip into a different state of mind where they are not being abused, and the abuse is occurring to someone else. Other evidence has linked DID with a history of brain injury and epilepsy. Onset is usually during childhood and most patients are female. DID may run in families; however, the genetic transmission question is unresolved.

Signs And Symptoms Of Multiple Personality Disorder:

Common Symptoms:

Amnesia:
Amnesia is one of the most common symptoms of multiple pers
onality disorder. In this, a patient forgets everything that happened in their lives over an extended period of time, such as he/she might completely forget his/her childhood. On other occasions, the patient forgets what had happened with him/her in a particular period of time.

Depersonalization:
It is a multiple personality disorder in which a patient feels that his/her body is unreal and is constantly changing or dissolving. In this case, the patient feels that he/she
is out of the body and is a watching a movie of himself. Known as the trances or fugue states, the patient faces 'out of body experiences'.

Derealization:
Falsification or derealization is also one of the most common symptoms of MPD. A patient in
this case believes that thewalls, buildings, or other stable objects are changing in shape, size or color. They may also fail to recognize closerelatives or friends. The external environment is unreal or illusory for a MPD patient.

Identity Disturbances:
Since the patient having MPD has many alters, he/she may or may not face identity crisis. In such a case, the continuous change from the host personality to alters, makes the patient face identity disturbances.


Whether you decide to seek treatment on your own or are encouraged by loved ones or a concerned employer, you may feel defensive about treatment or think its unnecessary. The nature of narcissistic personality disorder can also leave you feeling that therapy or the therapist is not worth your time and attention, and you may be tempted to quit. Try to keep an open mind, though, and to focus on the rewards of treatment.


Also, be sure to:

1.Stick to your treatment plan. Attend scheduled therapy sessions and take any medica
tions as directed. Remember that it can be hard work and that you may have occasional setbacks.
2.Learn about it. Educate yourself about narcissistic personality disorder so that you can better understand symptoms, risk factors and treatments.
3.Get treatment for substance abuse or other mental health problems. Your addictions, depression, anxiety and stress can feed off each other, leading to a cycle of emotional pain and unhealthy behavior.
4.Learn relaxation and stress management. Try such stress-reduction techniques as meditation, yoga or tai chi. These can be soothing and calming.
5.Stay focused on your goal. Recovery from narcissistic personality disorder can take time. Keep motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind and reminding yourself that you can work to repair damaged relationships and become happier with your life.