Dissociative Identity Disorder: An In-Depth Look

Abstract

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a mental health disorder where there are two or more distinct people within one individual. These distinct people or personalities are also called alters. An alter is a fully distinct person, that carries on a whole different personality than the original person. That means that if a person has two distinct people within them one could be very smart and introverted, but the other one may not have as high of IQ and might be extraverted. The personalities of each alter are different and very distinct from one another. The alternative personality or personalities would also have a different name than the original person. This paper will explore how DID forms within an individual, how it is diagnosed, treatment options to help those who have DID, and some myths that people in the general public may have about this disorder