Dissociative Identity Disorder Essay

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Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a highly controversial mental disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own unique set of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. While some psychologists argue that DID is not a real disorder and should be removed from the DSM, others believe that DID is a valid disorder that requires clinical attention. In this essay, I will argue that DID is a real disorder and should be kept in the DSM. Firstly, DID is recognized as a valid diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in the DSM-5. The DSM is a widely used diagnostic manual for mental disorders, and its inclusion of DID as a valid diagnosis is a clear indication that DID is a legitimate mental disorder. The DSM-5 criteria for DID require that the individual exhibits the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states, along with the inability to recall personal information that is too …show more content…

For example, a study by Schmahl et al. (2019) found that individuals with DID exhibit reduced connectivity between brain regions associated with self-referential processing, as well as increased activity in brain regions associated with emotion processing. These findings suggest that DID is a distinct disorder that can be differentiated from other mental disorders. Thirdly, the presence of dissociation, which is a core feature of DID, has been extensively studied and validated in the literature. Dissociation refers to the disconnection between thoughts, emotions, and memories, and it is often observed in individuals with a history of trauma or abuse. A study by Van der Hart et al. (2010) found that dissociative symptoms were significantly more prevalent in individuals with a history of childhood trauma, and that dissociation was a key factor in the development of