In the whole history of the world less than 200 cases were reported. Beginning about 1980, however, a skyrocketing epidemic of multiple personality disorder occurred amounting to tens of thousands of cases. Psychologists such as Greaves (1980) and Bliss (1980) estimated as many as 10% of Americans were suffering from the disorder (newly named Dissociative Identity Disorder). The literature swelled with articles, for example, "Multiple Personalities: A report of 14 Cases with Implications for Schizophrenia and Hysteria" by Eugene L. Bliss (1980) in which he stated that when he started to seek "candidates" (people with MPD) he discovered "that these problems are not uncommon -- I had simply missed them in the past. In the last year, I have seen and studied 14 cases, and they continue to appear with remarkable frequency" (p. 1388).
In another article, "Multiple Personality 165 Years after Mary Reynolds" by George B. Greaves (1980), Greaves states, "...the alter selves in multiple personality first arise as dissociative defenses against trauma, under specific circumstances, followed by repression of the trauma. Following such dissociation(s), the individual is left to cope with his or her environment in an impaired way" (p. 583). A very lucrative and burgeoning industry built up around the illness. Treatment for it is lengthy and often involves long hospitalizations costing more than a million dollars sometimes (if the patient has good enough insurance).
In an article titled "Multiple Personality Disorder: Witchcraft Survives in the Twentieth Century," August Piper Jr. blows a whistle, so to speak. He points out some troubling questions. For example, early reports discussed the presence of one or two alternate personalities, while recent reports talk about hundreds (even thousands) of "alters." The alters of early cases were ordinary human beings, but in recent cases alters include animals, demons, Mr. Spock, and Mutant Teenage Ninja Turtles. Some clinicians believe the increased number of cases is due to improved assessment and diagnosis, but Piper (1998) believes the symptoms are due to treatment-induced practices. Piper reasons that clinicians looking for multiple personalities...
Multiple Personality Disorders Introduction Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a mysterious condition and remains controversial. Biological psychiatrists who use medication for treatment claim that MPD in most cases, is non-existent. However, it is iatrogenic, in cases where it does exist. In other words, they mean that the condition is created by therapists who train their patients to view their symptoms as though they carry a separate set of personalities. Nevertheless, specialized clinicians
Therefore, it is likely that "men who are highly comorbid for antisocial PD and alcohol and drug use disorders are more likely to die young or be incarcerated than women and thus less likely to be represented in general population surveys." (Grant et al., 2006, p. 128). However, because incarcerated or dead men do not present for treatment, these findings are still of use to the practitioner. Conclusion Both articles do
Pharmacological Treatment Multiple personality or dissociative disorder is an exceptionally uncommon mental disorder in which an individual has two or more different personalities. Each of these personalities has unique characteristics such as mind-set, emotions behavioral patterns. Frequently, the personalities are totally differing and take over the real individual at unusual times. This transition takes place in sudden switches when the patient is triggered by painful events or miserable reminiscences. Each personality
32) The overall diagnostic and symptomatic patterns described by these points indicate that BPD is a serious disorder and is "...classified as a major personality disorder involving dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior; intense, unstable moods and relationships; chronic anger; and substance abuse." (Boucher, 1999, p. 33) There are a number of criteria which, in line with DSM-IV, are used to identify and characterize this disorder. The first of these criteria refers
Case Assessment Study: BryanBackgroundBryan\\\'s upbringing was negatively impacted by neglect, due to an environment where his father was absent and his mother�s instability. Bryan clearly lacked parental guidance. His mother�s dismissive response to his childhood question about having a sibling reveals the lack of emotional support and normalcy in his home. In this environment, television served as his primary source of company and guidance, and shaped his perceptions and emotional
Narcissistic Personality Disorder This is one of the very rare kinds of personality disorders that can be traced within the contemporary society. Indeed Philip W. Long (2011) pegs the prevalence to 1% of the total population. He further notes that the disorder is more prevalent in males than in females. People falling under this category generally have a weird feeling that the world generally revolves around them and their needs. These categories
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now