Dissociative Identity Disorder or as it is more commonly known- Multiple Personality Disorder, is a severe mental illness that is relatively uncommon. We all daydream from time to time (a process called dissociating) but people who suffer with MPD have a severe form of dissociation which is more like a self-hypnotic state. This state produces a lack of connection in a persons thoughts, memories, feelings, actions or sense of identity.
People with MPD usually adopt >2 distinct identities or personlaity states. These 'alter' identities have their own age, sex, race, postures, ways of talking and can sometimes be animals. Switching is the process of revealing different personalities and it can take minutes, days or weeks. Ususally MPD has developed as a coping mechanism and is related to severe and repetitive trauma in childhood and by dissocaiting at the time of trauma people don't associate it with their conscious self. This leads to further dissocations and MPD.
Evidence has shown links to a part of the brain called the Orbitalfrontal cortex and research is ongoing into the neurodevelopmental mechanism responsible for the development of multiple representations of self.
It is a truely fascinating condition to explore yet a debilitating one to live with.
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