10 Split Personality Symptoms
Article Sources
- 1. 'Dissociative Identity Disorder.' Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
- 2. 'Dissociative Identity Disorder.' Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Split personality disorder is also commonly called dissociative identity disorder, or DID. Those with this condition generally have at least two separate personalities, and each may manifest in different ways at different times within the individual.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder It is understood to be brought about through trauma.
This is a mental condition that can impact an individual's ability to be present in reality at all times.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder It can occur at any age and is more prevalent in women than men.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Knowing the symptoms of split personality can help when seeking treatment to manage the different personalities.
At Least Two Different Personalities
Those with split personality disorder have at least two distinct personalities. An individual with split personality disorder has a core personality and an alternate personality.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder The alternate personality is typically called an alter.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Depending on the extent of the person's condition, they may have just one alter or numerous alters, each with their own distinct characteristics.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Some individuals with this condition have reported having up to 100 different alters.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Alters may manifest in different ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and interests.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Some may even have different vocal effects or accents than the core personality.
Depression
Depression may be a symptom of split personality disorder, depending on the extent of the condition and the way the alters manifest or impact quality of life.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215 As this condition is often associated with a history of trauma, depression may be an offshoot of that issue as well.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Anxiety and even suicidal ideation are also common symptoms of split personality disorder, as some struggle with the presence of so many personalities and corresponding thoughts and voices in their minds.
Disorientation
Disorientation is a symptom of split personality disorder, as alters sometimes take over the core personality, or front, without warning.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215 This disorientation sometimes results in dissociative fugue, in which the core personality is not aware of what is happening in their life when they're not in control of their thoughts or behaviors.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Disorientation may also be accompanied by a sense of detachment from the person's life or the things happening around them.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Substance Abuse
Individuals with split personality disorder may find it hard to manage the voices in their heads. They may turn to illicit substances to quiet their minds, which can easily segue into substance abuse.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Drug or alcohol abuse is a common problem associated with split personality, especially for those not in treatment. Since individuals with split personality disorder find it challenging to handle emotional or mental stress, they are more susceptible to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
Self-Harm
Individuals with split personality disorder are at higher risk for self harm because of the associated stress.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Because of a lack of continuity in their thought patterns and inability to manage the personalities without proper treatment, individuals might turn to harmful coping mechanisms to deal with the stress.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Self-harm goes hand-in-hand with suicidal ideation for those with split personality, which is why professional intervention may be necessary. If you know anyone at immediate risk for suicide, call 911 immediately.
Amnesia
Amnesia is both a symptom of split personality disorder and its own segment of dissociative identity disorder,. Those with multiple alters may find themselves unaware of what one or all of the others have done when they're in control of the body.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Individuals with this condition may also find they cannot remember traumatic events in their lives, as this is the mind's way of protecting itself from damaging details.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Delusions
Because the individual already struggles to maintain a connection with reality among all the alters in their mind, delusions may also be a sign of split personality.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Individuals struggling with mental illnesses, including dissociative identity disorder, firlmly believe that the things they're seeing or experiencing are real, even if they are not.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Delusions may also manifest in paranoid feelings or distortions in emotional, physical and mental perception of events, places or people.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Causes
Causes of split personality disorder, or DID, are generally associated with trauma in childhood consisting of physical, sexual or emotional abuse.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215 Children and adults exposed to extremely traumatic situations, such as war or natural disasters, may also be more likely to develop the condition as a way to cope.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Additional circumstances, such as kidnapping, torture or traumatic medical experiences, may also be a contributing factor in the development of DID.2‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2017, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
Diagnosis
Diagnosing split personality disorder, or DID, isn't an exact science. There's no one test that a practitioner can use to render a diagnosis.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Rather, a practitioner may engage in a battery of tests and assess any physical factors that may be contributing to the behavior in question.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Symptoms may manifest during childhood, but since adults may miss the signs, split personality disorder may not be diagnosed until adulthood.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Treatment
Treatment consists of psychotherapy and, sometimes, medications to manage the symptoms of split personality disorder.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Psychotherapy is especially important for those with this condition to learn how to manage it most effectively.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
Therapy for split personality disorder consists of working through past traumas and learning how to merge the alters into a single identity over time.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder Psychotherapy can also help with managing the behavioral shifts that may occur between alters.1‘Dissociative Identity Disorder.’ Cleveland Clinic, 5 May 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9792-dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder
