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What is dissociative identity disorder?

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a disorder characterized by the presence of at least 2 distinct and relatively enduring personality states. Individuals with this disorder may report feeling depersonalized and observing their own behaviors but feeling powerless to stop them. DID is associated with traumatic and abusive events in childhood.

Dissociative identity disorder was previously known as multiple personality disorder.

What does DID look like?

Differential Diagnosis

  • Other specified dissociative disorder
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Bipolar disorders
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Substance/medication-induced disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Conversion disorder
  • Seizure disorders
  • Factitious disorder and malingering

How is DID investigated?

Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)

  • Client rater
  • 28-item self-report questionnaire to measure dissociation

How is DID treated?

  • Trauma-informed phase-based psychotherapy, focusing on:
    • Establishing safety, stabilization, and symptom reduction
    • Confronting, working through, and integrating traumatic memories
    • Identity integration and rehabilitation

[1] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.

[2] Boyd, M. A. (2019). Psychiatric & mental health nursing for Canadian practice. Wolters Kluwer.

[3] Townsend, M. C. (2015). Psychiatric mental health nursing. F.A. Davis.