Diagnostic Criteria for 300.14 Dissociative Identity Disorder
  1.      A.   The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states (each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self.)
  2.      B.   At least two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the person's behavior.
  3.      C.    Inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
  4.      D.    The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during Alcohol Intoxication) or a general medical condition (e.g.,complex partial seizures).
  5.      Note: In children, the symptoms are not attributable to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play.
The DSM-IV states the following:
     "Dissociative Identity Disorder reflects a failure to integrate various aspects of identity, memory, and consciouusness. Each personality state may be experienced as if it has a distinct personal history, self-image, and identity, including a separate name. Usually there is a primiary identity that carries the individual's given name and is passive, dependent, guilty, and depressed. The alternate identities frequently have different names, and characteristics that contrast with the primary identity. Particular identities may emerge in specific circumstances and may differ in reported age and gender, vocabulary, general knowledge, or predominant affect......Individuals with this disorder experience frequent gaps in memory for personal history, both remote and recent."

Please take note of the frequency that the term "may" is used. "each personality may..." "Particular identities may emerge...." The DSM-IV uses the term "may" because professionals know relatively little about this disorder, as to what causes it, who gets it, and how the personalities develop and coexist. Each individual that has DID will experience the disorder in a very unique way. The number of reported identities ranges from 2 to more than 100. Half of the reported cases include individuals with fewer than 10 personalities.(DSM-IV)

I have at least 19. 19 that I know well. Others that hide in the shadows. Yes, I can see them. I can describe them. I can describe where the exist. Where I exist. It is all real.

"Switching" is when one personality takes over from the current one. I happen to switch quickly, as do most people. It takes only a couple of seconds. Sometimes it will happen more gradual. It depends on the person.

People with DID will have gaps in their memory--recent and and remote. I do not remember any of my teachers up until 5th grade. I have to look at my year books to do that. I have gaps of time that I just do not remember at all. Sometimes it is just for a couple of hours, sometimes it is for a couple to few days. I am interacting in society, but I do not remember it. I will have no idea what I said, or who I saw, or where I went when I "snap out of it."

There have been some controversial made for TV movies that portray people with DID as murderers who don't remember actually killing someone. This is very very rare. Even more violent personalities have limits as to how far they will carry their behaviors. This is because above all else, most personalities fear being discovered by "normal" outsiders.

WeRMany is an excellent resource, providing many links and supportive bulletin boards.

Main PageMain Page of this site.

(maybe)A poem about looking in the mirror and not knowing what I'll find.

MultiplicityA little about my experience with being multiple.

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