Is this a classifiable dissociative disorder?

[GonzoLoco]

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Is there a well known dissociative disorder (aka "Multiple Personality") where a person has VERY distinct personalities, differentiated by mannerisms, behaviors, personality traits, preferences, political and other standpoints, victim or victimizer (compensating for past trauma), basically a classic example of dissociative disorder/multiple personality, but with a twist... Each personality is aware of the other and in fact feels they are the victim of the others actions, but there is a manipulative element in which the person has SOME control of self when there is incentive to do so. Strongly motivated by instant gratification, especially drugs which they deem necessary for self medication.

In short from an outsider perspective, it appears to be a case of "Multiple Personality" where each personality is friends with the others! Dissociative Disorder sans Amnesia. The lack of control exists but without close analysis, it appears that the person is simply a "master manipulator".

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

It is my understanding that the amnesia does not have to be complete--in other words, Personality A may know that Personality B cut "the body" and know why, but not totally have been present while it happened. Personality C may bake cookies for Personality D, and so on.

If diagnosing, you could go with DID-NOS, to be cautious.

However, this is one set of disorders whose status as a disorder I honestly question. Come to think of it...it may be the only one.

 

[nitemagi]

Is there a well known dissociative disorder (aka "Multiple Personality") where a person has VERY distinct personalities, differentiated by mannerisms, behaviors, personality traits, preferences, political and other standpoints, victim or victimizer (compensating for past trauma), basically a classic example of dissociative disorder/multiple personality, but with a twist... Each personality is aware of the other and in fact feels they are the victim of the others actions, but there is a manipulative element in which the person has SOME control of self when there is incentive to do so. Strongly motivated by instant gratification, especially drugs which they deem necessary for self medication.

In short from an outsider perspective, it appears to be a case of "Multiple Personality" where each personality is friends with the others! Dissociative Disorder sans Amnesia. The lack of control exists but without close analysis, it appears that the person is simply a "master manipulator".

Yes, it's called borderline PD with a component of factitious d/o and possibly malingering.

1. look for secondary gain (attention, drugs)
2. Recognize that behaviors such as escalating, neediness, can all be manipulative
3. All index cases of DID (Sybil, etc) have been disproven and there's only a very small community who believes there's any veracity.
4. Patients who claim to have DID often switch in the presence of another person (their audience) for the purpose of getting something.

Then read this...http://www.amazon.com/Try-Remember-Psychiatrys-Meaning-Memory/dp/1932594396

I'd be especially suspicious if the person is in their late 40's to 60's in age, and was diagnosed in the 1980's, which was the height of this iatrogenic issue. The only pt's I've seen who claim they have it now try to use it as an excuse for their behavior. I've not validated this diagnosis, and then watched them on an inpatient psychiatric unit and no one has seen any evidence of "switching" once they know it won't work as a manipulation nor accepted as an excuse for inappropriate behavior. In short, most people are skeptical for good reason, and good behavioral management can usually eliminate their use of "switching."

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

Sybil is excellent entertainment--it's a well produced, well-executed film as far as films go. That's what keeps DID popular in the minds of the public, in large measure, I think.

If we didn't have that one movie, I suspect the notion of "multiple personalities" would be much less known by the public!

I'm guilty of having watched the movie three or four times throughout my life.