Dissociative disorders are a broad category of mental problems affecting a person’s ability to operate. Dissociation is characterized by a disturbance or interruption in the typical, subjective integration of identity, behavior, consciousness, emotion, memory, perception, motor control, and body representation (Loewenstein, 2022). There is a controversy over the realness of dissociative identity disorder (DID). While many medical professionals think it is real, some think it does not exist and should be removed from the DSM-5. There are many arguments both for and against dissociative identity disorder. This paper outlines the controversy over the realness of DID.
The debate over dissociative identity disorder results from the two opposing explanations for its occurrence: fantasy and trauma. According to the trauma model, dissociative symptoms are caused by emotional, sexual, and physical abuse; neglect, especially during childhood; attachment issues when the caregiver is not appropriately attuned to the child’s safety or emotional needs or if a child fears the caregiver; and other significant trauma like suffering domestic violence (Loewenstein, 2022). The World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association’s historical and present diagnostic criteria mirror this trauma concept. Multiple lines of research point to a strong connection between psychological trauma, particularly cumulative trauma, and dissociative disorder.
The skeptics argue dissociation causes delusions of trauma and that DID is an anomalous condition caused by iatrogenic and sociocultural influences (Loewenstein, 2022). However, this opinion is not strongly supported by any study or clinical facts. Despite accurate methods for identifying dissociative identity disorders, most persons will never be diagnosed. This is owing to a lack of health professional knowledge and training on dissociation disorders, the symptoms being less visible to onlookers, and the dispute surrounding dissociative disorders.
The prevalence of DID in clinical and general populations makes them a significantly underserved group with a high risk of self-destructive and suicidal behavior. Severe DID patients’ symptoms, including suicidal and self-destructive tendencies, significantly improved after treatment, according to prospective studies of treatment outcomes. A significant public health initiative is required to promote understanding of DID, including educational initiatives in all mental health training programs and more financing for research.
Reference
Loewenstein, R. J. (2022). Dissociation debates: Everything you know is wrong. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience.