The causes of dissociative personality disorder are not well defined, but it is believed that their origin lies in traumas suffered mainly in the childhood.
The reason for accepting this hypothesis is that during the traumatic event the person can make a mental dissociation to protect himself from trauma in situations where he can not defend himself or escape. If traumas are frequent, this defense mechanism can trigger dissociative identity disorder.
In order to develop a dissociative identity disorder it is necessary that the person has suffered serious traumas, in a real and recurring way, at any stage of life.
However, people who develop multiple personality often go through these traumatic events to the 7 years of age.
Therefore, dissociative personality disorder is a defense mechanism of the mind to face situations that would be unbearable for the person.
Symptoms
The main characteristic of dissociative identity disorder is the presence of two or more personalities different within the same person and who take on the command of consciousness in turn.
Each of the personalities has their own memories, tastes and customs, sometimes even with opposite behaviors.
However, there are cases in which personalities know of each other's existence, and there may be rivalries or partnerships between them.
In most cases there is a personality primary, which is the person himself, usually with traces of depression, passivity and guilt.
The other identities are secondary and may be opposed to the primary, with characteristics of aggressiveness and self-destruction.
Identity changes can occur suddenly, in seconds, or after a short period of mental confusion that lasts no more than a few minutes. These personality changes are usually triggered by some social or psychological stress.
The psychiatrist is the specialist responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of dissociative identity disorder.
Learn more at:
What is the treatment for dissociative identity disorder?
What are the symptoms of dissociative identity disorder?
