Controversy

Unfortunately, there is controversy regarding multiple personality. Some
critics inside and outside the mental health profession claim that it is not a
legitimate psychiatric disorder, perhaps because the idea of having multiple
personality and repressed memories does not make sense to them. They may
believe that this disorder is created by people seeking attention through being
dramatic, caused by incompetent therapists suggesting this diagnosis to
their clients, or used by people wanting an excuse for irresponsible or even
criminal behavior. Some of these critics also attack the concept of recovered
memories of child sexual abuse. They believe this profound loss of memory
is not real and that these recovered memories are actually false memories
that serve the same purposes mentioned above.
The result is that the trauma field has tended to become polarized into
true believers and extreme skeptics. A balanced position has sometimes
been lost. Trauma experts with a balanced view will admit that some memories
are inaccurate, that some clients labeled as having DID have indeed
been misdiagnosed for the reasons the critics offer, and that some therapists
do a poor job. However, these experts argue that the research base and clinical
evidence supporting the existence of a distinct diagnosis called DID is
strong and that the repression of memories of childhood abuse is real.
Sources for Further Study
Cohen, L., J. Berzhoff, and M. Elin, eds. Dissociative Identity Disorder: Theoretical
and Treatment Controversies. Northvale, N.J.: Jason Aronson, 1995. This
book gives the differing views regarding the controversies around DID.
Each chapter offers both sides of the position on the topic at hand. It is
somewhat technical.
Hocking, Sandra J. Living with Your Selves: A Survival Manual for People with
Multiple Personalities. Rockville, Md.: Launch Press, 1992. This is a selfhelp
book written by and for someone who has multiple personality. It
contains helpful and accurate information.
Putnam, Frank. Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder. New
York: Guilford Press, 1989. A textbook meant for professionals, written by
an expert at the National Institute of Mental Health.
Ross, Colin A. Dissociative Identity Disorder: Diagnosis, Clinical Features, and
Treatment of Multiple Personality. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1997. Perhaps the leading textbook on DID. Everything you wanted to know and
more by an international psychiatric expert. It is written for the professional,
though it is very readable. It also contains the author’s psychological
test, called the DDIS, to help diagnose DID.
__________. The Osiris Complex: Case Studies in Multiple Personality Disorder. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press, 1994. An interesting and readable
book for both lay and professional audiences, giving specific cases with
details that illustrate features of DID.
Dennis Bull
See also: Personality Disorders. 565