Dissociative disorders of the self: A continuum extending into multiple personality.

Abstract

This article examines the notion that multiple-personality disorder represents the end of a continuum of a defensive dissociation of the self. Three case illustrations are presented in support of this notion. In one case hidden ego states emerged and displayed some behavioral control in the course of hypnotherapy. In another, dissociated part selves were responsible for much of the presenting symptomology, but did not qualify for a diagnosis of multiple personality. The author argues for the recognition of a continuum of dissociation of the self that extends into multiple-personality disorder.Increasing attention has been paid to multiplepersonality disorder (MPD), which only recently appeared as a distinct diagnostic entity in DSM-III in 1980, despite a clinical history extending back as far as the early seventeenth century. MPD reemerged as a topic of marked interest to the mental health community in the early 1970s, following important review articles by Taylor & Martin (1944) and Sutcliffe & Jones (1962). These articles systematically presented the evidence in favor of the existence of MPD as a diagnostic entity. The evidence presented in these articles was in turn supported in case studies by such researchers as Thigpen &Cleckly (1957) andBowers et al. (1971). Articles such as these led to the emergence of MPD as a distinct diagnostic entity from the shadow of schizophrenia, for which it had often been misdiagnosed during the midtwentieth century (Rosenbaum, 1980).

Beyond the Impasse – Reflections on Dissociative Identity Disorder from a Freudian–Lacanian Perspective

“…In that sense, it is not surprising that a number of authors consider dissociation as present in every subject and conceptualize a continuum of dissociation (Price, 1987; Butler, 2006). …”

“…However, as this underlying division is structural and not curable, this dividedness at the core of our being is at the basis of all symptom development. In that sense, it is not surprising that a number of authors consider dissociation as present in every subject and conceptualize a continuum of dissociation ( Price, 1987 ; Butler, 2006 ).…”

Dissociative experiences, psychopathology and adjustment, and child and adolescent maltreatment in female college students.

“…Central to this adaptive concept of dissociation is the notion that dissociative experiences range on a continuum (Bernstein & Putnam, 1986; Braun, 1989; Hilgard, 1977; Nemiah, 1980; Price, 1987; Putnam, 1989; B. Sanders & Giolas, 1991; H.…”

The functions of anger and forgiveness: Guidelines for psychotherapy with victims.

“…A common defense for dealing with trauma is through dissocation (Price, 1987; Sakheim, Hess & Chivas, 1988). In its extreme state, this will take the form of a multiple personality disorder, a diagnosis especially correlated with extreme and prolonged child abuse (Braun, 1984).…”

“…In its extreme state, this will take the form of a multiple personality disorder, a diagnosis especially correlated with extreme and prolonged child abuse (Braun, 1984). Recently, a number of writers (e.g., Beahrs, 1983; Price, 1987; Watkins & Watkins, 1970) have suggested that there are degrees of dissociation, and that a continuum runs from normal splits of roles and ego states to the more dramatic multiple personality. While much of the interest and writing about ego states has been by therapists specializing in hypnosis, it should be remembered that theorists as diverse as Berne (1964), Perls (1969), Ellis (1975), and Kernberg (1984) have suggested that the personality is easily conceptualized as having separate parts which serve different functions and somehow communicate with each other.…”