What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
8. Diagnosis
The diagnosis of DID is not a simple matter. A survey of patients found them to receive an average of three to four incorrect diagnoses who spend five to twelve years in a mental health system before being correctly diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. Part of the difficulty lies in the rarity of the condition, with fewer than one percent of the general population being affected. Thus, most doctors have not experienced it in their practice
If DID is suspected, a mental health professional will evaluate the patient using the Dissociative Experiences Scale or Structured Clinical Interview for Dissociation. A definite diagnosis depends on two of the following symptoms being present: two or more distinct identities or personalities are present; the disruption in identity involves a change in the sense of self, behavior, and other characteristics; gaps in memory exist; and the symptoms cause distress or impairment.
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