Kellyn Lanza

4/18/18

Period 6

Ms. Keilty - 7th Grade Science

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Did you know that childhood trauma can lead to out of body experiences, memory loss,

suicide, depression, and anxiety? I am Dr. Lanza and I am a Psychiatrist, and the disorder I am

studying is called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). I chose this disorder because I found it

interesting and knew very little about it. Though it’s not common, a handful of people are affected by

DID.

DID causes you to have two or more distinct personality states. For example, you wake up as

“Jenna,” a very pleasant and enthusiastic girl at the age of 10, and go to sleep as “Rain,” a very

depressed and sad girl at the age of 19. DID, one of many dissociative disorders, it is caused by

severe childhood trauma. DID is an identity disorder and it’s “dissociative”, which means those with

the disorder lack connection to personal thoughts, memories, and identity. Researchers have not yet

found a cure for DID. DID occurs in the nervous system, which contains the brain, spinal cord, and

nerves. The nervous system is involved in many physical and mental processes, including memories,

emotions, feelings, reactions, movement, speech, vision and breathing. The brain has three main

parts: (cerebrum, cerebellum brain stem). Without the nervous system, your body wouldn’t be able to

do simple daily things like sports, writing, reading, etc. Although DID only affects around 1%-2% of

the world's population it is a very serious disorder and not easy to treat.
 According to U.S. National Library of Medicine,

shown on the graph to the left, the volumes of

the hippocampus and amygdala from patients

with DID are significantly smaller than those of

healthy humans. (U.S. National Library of

Medicine, 2006). Since the hippocampus is

considered the center of memory in humans,

and the amygdala is responsible for

experiencing emotions, survival instinct, and it

is also involved in memory. Among the many

problems patients with DID may experience,

memory loss, suicidal thoughts and depression

are some of the most consequential.

(Wonderopolis, 2014-2018).

The data to the right from “Dissociative

Identity Disorder 101” shows the brain on the

right, “Structure in females who have DID,” has

a significantly smaller hippocampus and

amygdala. The hippocampus on the right is

19.2% smaller than the hippocampus on the

left, the amygdala on the right is 31.6% smaller

than the amygdala on the left (Paul Hazel, 2008).

 Patients have a wide range of symptoms, including suicidal depression and depersonalization.

About 70% of the patients with DID have attempted suicide. They have problems with functioning

sexuality, eating, sleeping, and more. They also may experience substance abuse, anxiety,

hallucinations, amnesia, derealization, detachment from emotions, lack of self-identity, headaches,

and pains all over the body. “The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be

explained by ordinary forgetfulness.” (Psychology Today, 2017)

Based on the data from Health Research Funding, women are nine times more likely to

develop DID than men (Health Research Funding, 2015). This is not surprising since it correlates to

statistics on physical and sexual abuse numbers between men and women, and we know abuse is a

primary cause of DID. DID affects people from all different income levels and ethnicities, (Health

Research Funding, 2015).

DID episodes typically begin around the age of 16, however they can occur anywhere from

early to mid-childhood. Data from the National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) states that less than

20% of people with DID start having episodes after 20 years old (National Alliance On Mental Illness,

2018). The average amount of personalities a person with DID has is about 10, but there have been

some records of people with 100+ personalities, or, as some call them, identities (Webmd,

2005-2018). As the graph explains, there is a high correlation of abuse to the disorder which is why it

is believed abuse is the main cause of DID. Not surprisingly, there is a high correlation of patients

with parents who also had the disorder. This may be because people who abuse others were abused

themselves. Patients have many different symptoms, including suicidal depression and

depersonalization. About 70% of the patients with DID have attempted suicide. They have problems

with functioning their sexuality, eating, sleeping, and more. They also may experience substance
abuse, anxiety, hallucinations, amnesia, derealization, detachment from your emotions, lack of self

identity, headaches and pains all over the body.

Episodes of DID can be triggered by the remembrance of childhood trauma or horrific incidents

as a way to escape the bad memories and feelings. The abuse or incident that caused DID usually

happens before nine years old (WebMD, 2016). Although DID can affect anyone (any income level

and ethnicities), it tends to be more common with lower income earners. These people typically have

less access to educational resources and supplies to stay healthy, which can cause trauma for the

family. This can lead to DID.

The main cause of DID is believed to be severe childhood trauma. sexuall, physical, and

emotional abuse are all causes. DID often develops as a reaction to escape bad memories. Around

90% of the patients with DID have had an abusive history (Healthy Place, 2016). DID is also

linked(caused) to traumatic memories such as accidents, war, natural disasters, etc. DID can also

develop as a side effect of other mental illnesses, such as PTSD (Health Research Funding, 2015).

or BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) (Health Research Funding, 2015).

Although a cure has not yet been found, there is therapy to help patients with DID. Private

lessons for 45-55 minutes start at around $50 and can go up to around $300 depending on where you

go (Informed choices about depression, 2014). During the private lesson the patient meets with a

doctor or therapists, depending on where you go you may meet with multiple doctors or

therapists.There is also group therapy available. Group therapy starts at around $40, and can go up

to around $200 (Lisa Lombard, 2009-2018). In addition, there is medication for for DID symptoms.

There are a range of symptoms among DID sufferers, each with different medications, including:
antidepressants, pain relievers (for headaches) and Temazepam (for sleeping). Different identities

might require different medications.

The movie ​Split​ is about a man, Kevin Wendell Crumb, a DID patient with 24 distinct

personalities. In the movie, the different identities talk to each other. Some identities form alliances

and some become enemies. Kevin kidnaps 3 teenage girls and his doctor, Dr. Fletcher, thinks one of

his identities, “Dennis,” is responsible for the kidnaping. One of Kevin’s personalities, “Hedwig” helps

one of the girls try and call for help. However “Patricia” catches “Hedwig” and subdues the girl.

My research has identified abuse is the primary cause of DID. Therefore, the long-term

solution may be to reduce mental, physical, and sexual abuse in society. We’ve seen recent public

policy initiatives aimed at addressing societal issues like gun violence and domestic violence.

Similarly, or perhaps in conjunction with these initiatives, a public policy campaign could generate

awareness of DID and that the horrors of mental, physical, and sexual abuse are causing this

disease. Reducing abuse is essential to reducing DID. Public policy, combined with continued

therapy and activism may be the key to reducing abuse. Reducing abuse is the key to reducing DID.