Does multiple personality disorder exist?

[forgetmenot]

Why does some psychiatrist not believe in multiple personalities. My twin has several I have seen them and heard them. Her psychiatrist says she doesn't believe in this diagnosis why. My twin has at least 4 personalities living inside her.

 

[Meg]

Re: Not Exist

Multiple personality disorder, now called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), is difficult to diagnose. The issue tends to be not so much that mental health professionals don't believe in the diagnosis (though of course there are probably some out there who don't - maybe this psychiatrist is one of them), but that they actually know very little about it. It is a very rare disorder, so the average therapist doesn't have a great deal of experience in either diagnosing or treating it. If DID is suspected, I understand that they should be assessed by someone who is a specialist in this disorder.

I suspect that these specialists are probably few and far between, but, if you are convinced that your twin has DID perhaps you could look into locating one to consult? A GP, or perhaps an academic at either a psychiatry or psychology department at a university near you, might be able to give you some suggestions.

As a first port of call, though, I would suggest that you ask the current psychiatrist her reasons for not believing in DID, and/or for ruling it out as a diagnosis for your sister (if you haven't already done this). There may be a good reason that she can then explain.

All the best :hug:

 

[forgetmenot]

Re: Not Exist

Thanks Meg My sisters first psychiatrist in the army did originally diagnose her with multiple personalities it wasn't until i brought her home here and she got this new psychiatrist that her diagnosis changed to borderline personality disorder. She is getting great treatment now in Guelph and i hope they will diagnose her properly. I have dealt with all her personalities and can tell you some are pretty scarey. If i can see them and her social workers sees them yet this Dr outright states she doesn't believe in this disorder. It doesn't matter really because she is treated for schizophrenia but it bothers me because i know she has it. I talked with all her personalities being her twin and she cries because sometimes people get mad at her and she doesn't remember doing those things.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Re: Not Exist

Another factor is that true DID appears to be quite rare, although other forms of dissociation may be more common. Unfortunately, it's one of those "exciting" diagnoses for practitioners and perhaps also for patients, and the result is that some who are "diagnosed" with DID may not meet the criteria for that diagnosis. Additionally, there is a concern about suggestibility playing a role in "creating personalities" in the course of therapy or otherwise.

The mere fact that an individual may display dramatic changes in behavior or demeanor does not mean that DID is an appropriate diagnosis. In the case of your sister, it would appear that those changes are more likely the result of schizophrenia.

 

[forgetmenot]

Re: Not Exist

In schizophrenia there can be multiple personalities them. My sister personalities even have names. They range from being a very small child, to a very seductive personality if you knew my sister no way this is her. to a very evil person demon like then to a army personality they all have names and for me to deal with them i could tell my her voice who i was dealing with and her behaviors. With her medication she is now being controlled but with stress the personalities come out expecially the child and the demon. This is schizophrenia then not multiple personalities they sound the same to me

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I'm not going to comment on your sister's diagnosis, Mary. Her psychiatrist is in the best position to do this and it appears (from what you say) that he does not believe she exhibits the symptoms of or meets the criteria for DID, and that her symptoms and behaviors fit within the diagnosis of schizophrenia.

 

[Andy]

Not to complicate things more but to me this does not sound like schizophrenia either.

I'm not a Dr. but I did live with many people with schizophrenia for 11 and a half months and then had a boyfriend I lived with for 2 years who passed (GB) that had schizophrenia. I never new of any of them to have multiple personalities. The only reason I am saying anything without the credentials of being a "doctor" is sometimes living with people you can know more about them than from what a text book says, and that is not meant to be an insult to anyone with credentials, I am just saying that I really believe that other wise I would not comment on this.

I also have a real issue with the false stigmas of people with schizophrenia.

In my opinion this does sound like BPD. Again-not fit to make diagnosis-just from what I know.

Sorry if this has offended or angered anyone. I sure hope not.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

People with all sorts of diagnoses have to face stigma.

My point is that none of us, including Mary even though it is her sister, is in a position to question the diagnosis given to her by her psychiatrist.

Of course it's possible that the current diagnosis may change in the future - that's not unusual as more information comes to light. And it's also possible for an individual to have more than one Axis I diagnosis (e.g., major depression as well as an anxiety disorder) and/or to have both an Axis I diagnosis and an Axis II diagnosis (personality disorder).

If you're a family member and you believe that the doctors treating your relative don't have the full facts or are missing some symptoms, you may well decide to communicate your concerns to those doctors. It is not a violation of doctor-patient confidentiality to receive information about a patient (which will of course be evaluated as to its accuracy, credibility, and relevance) but of course the doctors cannot give you any information about a patient without the consent of that patient or a legal guardian.

 

[Andy]

I know all kinds of people have to face stigma. What I meant by the comment of false stigmas on schizophrenia is that a lot of people think they have all these personalities when in fact they do not.

I am also aware of multiple diagnosis as that's what my first couple posts were about I believe.

I understand what your saying. I was just offering my opinion which I maybe shouldn't have. There is a fine line between trying to offer advice from what you know and deciding whether orr not to say anything about what you knowingly should leave up to the doctors. I hope that last part made sense.

I was only offering my opinion, but David is right. It is best left for her to discuss her issues with her doctor. :dimples:

 

[white page]

Sorry if this has offended or angered anyone. I sure hope not.

Of course not STP , however Dr. Baxter is perfectly right by saying that no one here is in a position to question a diagnosis given by a psychiatrist .

A psychotic crisis can take many forms . And a proper diagnosis of a mental pathology needs observation over a period of time . So we would be treading where angels fear to tread ,if we questioned the diagnosis of an experienced professional .
all the best wp

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I know all kinds of people have to face stigma. What I meant by the comment of false stigmas on schizophrenia is that a lot of people think they have all these personalities when in fact they do not.

My apologies. I misunderstood your post.

I understand what your saying. I was just offering my opinion which I maybe shouldn't have.

Not at all. My post was an attempt to clarify and/or qualify what I thought you were saying.

 

[Atlantean]

My last therapist recognized DID. My current one just says 'Dissociation occurs in varying degrees', and left it at that.

 

[Andy]

My apologies. I misunderstood your post.



Not at all. My post was an attempt to clarify and/or qualify what I thought you were saying.

No, no, no. :nah:No need for apologies. I am not very clear when I type things out-kind of a scatter brain.
That and communicating through the internet can get confusing.

 

[forgetmenot]

My sister has already been diagnosed with multiple personalities by army psychiatrist who till this day keeps in touch with my sister. She was upset to hear this new psychiatrist changed my sisters diagnosis as she sent all her relevant medical history to this new dr. It doesn't matter now because she is getting great help from the doctors in Guelph. They not only look at her psychological condition but her physical medical conditiions which was part of her problems as well. No matter the label they give her she is doing well now and i pray she stays well.

 

[Halo]

And getting the great help that she is in Guelph is all that really matters and you should be thankful for that great help despite what diagnoses she has or doesn't have.

 

[forgetmenot]

I am very thankful for all the caring doctors and staff there they treat my sister with respect and as a whole person. Thats all she ever wanted was to be treated with respect. I thank God every night for helping her. Now she can come home with me soon where no-one will mistreat her again. You don't know just how greatful i am.

 

[amastie]

Re: Not Exist

... you could look into locating one to consult?..

I agree with all that you have said, Meg.

Just for your reference Mary, there is an organization in the US, an umbrella group which oversees the training and professional status (& regulation?) of doctors/therapists who work with trauma and dissociation. It can refer people to specialists in the field (anywhere in the world) - at this link:

ISSTD Find a Therapist Disclaimer of Responsibility

[On seeing again the title of the link, it is most *un*likely to be held accountable for regulating such specialiasts, but if they are to be found, this organization will be a good reference]