Introduction	Development of DID	Symptoms of DID
Diagnosis of DID	Important notice

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental disorder, in which an individual exhibits two or more personality alternatively, which takes control of the individual’s behavior. Subsequent memory loss will only take place if any part of the alternative personality becomes dominant. It is a rare disease, which is found within 1% of the general population.

Before 19th century, people-having symptoms of such a disease were considered to be possessed. Later, through out 19th to early 20th century, it was considered contradictory to neurologists and hypnotists who finally defined it as existence of two minds in an individual, which causes the person to exhibit dual personality.

Studies on patients suffering from DID frequently show that previously they were victim of violent physical abuse or were sexually abused as a child, which has a vast impact on their memory. Sudden traumas relating parents and accidental losses can be strong reasons as well.

It is a result of severe emotional stress due to interference of traumas with natural development of personality, ego, and character, which develops at early childhood stage. Sometimes due to greater imagination, they tend to believe fairytales or overheard stories to exist for real and indulge themselves in it.

Along with the major symptom, abnormal behavior, there are few mentionable symptoms as well which varies from person to person. These are:

• Mood swing
• Frustration or depression
• Panic attack
• Sleep disorder
• Sudden anger without any reason
• Identity confusion
• Suicidal tendency
• Alcohol or drug addiction
• And many more

To these symptoms there are certain clinical tests to judge the parameter of this disorder which include:

• Intoxication caused by alcohol
• Posttraumatic disorder (PTSD)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Psychotherapy techniques

Due to rarity of this psychological disorder in population there is no reliable or short time treatment or diagnosis to be imposed. Thus an interview was designed which is usually of 30-90min depending on individuals experience and is known as The Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS). It needs cooperation from the patient as well as their relatives. It is often possible to cure the patient with proper medication and therapy but the probability still remains unknown.

This is to inform that there is nothing supernatural about the symptoms associated. This is just a psychological disorder, many people are not aware of.  So if any such symptoms are felt, it is strongly recommended to visit a clinical psychologist immediately.