Multiple+Personality

**Multiple Personality**



**What is Multiple personality disorder?**

Multiple personality disorder is also known as Dissociative identity disorder. It is characterized by the presence of having two or more identities that have power over each other. These personalities can be split, meaning there are two distinct personalities one person has. This means that one second the person can be calm and content, the next they can be fueled with anger and rage.

**Signs and Symptoms**
 * Depression [[image:multiple-personalities.jpg width="210" height="210" align="right"]]
 * Mood swings
 * Sleep disorders (sleep walking, insomnia, night terrors)
 * Drug abuse
 * Compulsions
 * Hallucinations
 * Eating disorders
 * Trances
 * "Out of body" experiences

**What are the causes?**

Researchers are still trying to find out the cause of multiple personality disorders. They say that it may be a combination of environmental and biological factors. Researchers say that as many as 98% to 99% of people with multiple personalities have had a history of recurring traumatic events early in childhood. Findings show that disturbances young in life like abuse, neglect, and overpowering events may have some impact on the likelihood of developing a multiple personality.

**Public Perception**

Some people think it causes from extraordinary trauma. Multiple personalities can be very difficult to deal with so people may think that the people are crazy. This is largely due to the book "Sybil" and "The Faces of Eve".

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Treatments**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Psychotherapy is the main component of treatment. This helps people gain relationships that they may have not felt comfortable with. Psychotherapy is carefully paced so it does not cause any anxiety which may create a dangerous situation by finding a way for each aspect to coexist.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hypnosis is also another treatment for people with multiple personality disorders by helping increase information on the persons symptoms thus gaining control when changing personalities.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Other Useful Links** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anorexia <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Abuse


 * <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sources **

"Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder): Signs, Symptoms, Treatment." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 16 Sept. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder>.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Diseases and Disorders". Reference Book. Volume 2. Page 564-565. Marshall Cavendish, New York.

"Dissociative Identity Disorder Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What Are the Treatments for Dissociative Identity Disorder on MedicineNet." Web. 16 Sept. 2011. <http://www.medicinenet.com/dissociative_identity_disorder/page4.htm>.

Luke and Monica