He dissociative identity disorderalso known as multiple personality disorderis a complex psychological disorder caused by multiple factors. It is one of the most talked about disorders, and has generated debate and criticism. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of cases, but there are many professionals who remain skeptical. In this PsychologyFor article we will talk about whether multiple personality disorder is hereditary.
Many of us experience mild dissociations when we dream or miss a moment while we are working… However, the multiple personality disorder It is a serious form of dissociation because it is a lack of connection between the person’s thoughts, memories, feelings and actions. Patients with this disorder develop one or more alternating personalities.
Dissociative identity disorder is one of the so-called dissociative disorders. They are a set of mental disorders that entail memory disruptions or failuresconsciousness, identity and/or perception. When one or more of these functions are altered, dissociative symptoms may appear.
The disorder can occur in a mild or severe form, to the point that the symptoms interfere with the person’s general functioning, whether in the personal or work environment.
Multiple personality disorder is NOT hereditary
Nowadays no genetic factors are known related to this disorder, although it can occur repeatedly in families. Genetic studies show contradictory results. A study involving monozygotic and dizygotic twins concludes that heritability does not seem to have any effect on this disorder.
On the other hand, one study suggests the presence of a certain genetic effect, but it must be taken into account that this research focused on dissociation without differentiating between pathological and non-pathological. Because of this, more research is needed to determine whether the genetic tendency to experience dissociation varies depending on whether it is pathological (multiple personality disorder) or not.
Therefore, many experts maintain that, for the moment, the data indicates that multiple personality disorder is NOT hereditary. If an adult has multiple personality disorder, their children are no more likely to develop the disorder than any other child. The best way to predict it is the presence of a trauma in the person’s life; it is common for the disorder to develop after a traumatic experience: serious accident, robbery, etc.
ymptoms of dissociative identity disorder
A person with multiple personality disorder has two or more different personalities, the “main” personality of the person, and those known as “alter”. The person may experience amnesia when an alter takes control over the person’s behavior.
Each alter has distinctive traits, a personal history and a way of thinking. The person may not be aware of memories or other personalities when an alter is in control. Stress, or even the memory of a trauma can trigger a personality change.
In some cases, disorder creates chaos in the person’s life, and causes problems in personal and professional relationships. For example, a woman may encounter people who seem to know her, but she is not able to recognize or remember them, or she may find things in her house that she does not remember buying.
Dissociative identity disorder has many psychological symptoms which can be found in other mental disorders, including:
Change in functioning levels: can go from a very high level to a very low level
Headaches or pain in other parts of the body
Depersonalization: disconnection from one’s own thoughts, feelings, and even the body
Derealization: the environment becomes strange, unknown or unreal
Depression or mood changes
Anxiety
Eating and sleeping disorders
Problems in sexual functioning
Substance abuse
Amnesia
Hallucinations: for example, hearing voices
self-inflicted harm
Suicide risk: 70% of people with dissociative identity disorder have attempted suicide.
Although the specific causes of multiple personality disorder are not known, the psychological theory that the disorder develops as a reaction to childhood trauma. People with this disorder usually present very difficult life stories with recurrent and strong traumas that put their lives at risk, such as sexual and/or physical abuse before the age of 9.
In some cases it is related to extreme neglect or emotional abuse, even without any type of abuse having occurred. It has also been linked to a natural disaster, such as war. Research shows that parents who are scary and unpredictable (disorganized attachment style) tend to raise children with dissociative identity disorder.
Some experts propose 3 factors that could increase the likelihood of developing the disorder:
Biologicallysome people are more prone to dissociate, or may have organic problems in the brain that make it difficult for them to integrate their experiences.
He a child’s brain It is more immature than that of an adult, and it can make you more susceptible to developing the disorder because your self-awareness and self-concept are not yet cohesive, they are developing. Therefore, it is more difficult for them to face and integrate traumatic experiences, that is, the younger the child who experiences the trauma, the greater the probability of developing dissociative identity disorder.
Children with lack of emotional and social support They are more likely to develop disorders associated with trauma. Growing up in a toxic or neglectful family without support for dealing with difficult situations and feelings increases the likelihood that the child will use dissociation as a way to cope with trauma. Traumatic events increase the likelihood of dissociation.
Dissociation is usually understood as a mechanism that the person uses to disconnect from stressful or traumatic situations, or to distance themselves from traumatic memories. It is a way of break connection with the outside world and create a distance from what is happening. It can serve as a defense mechanism against physical and emotional pain caused by the stressful or traumatic situation. In this way, the person can maintain levels of functioning considered “normal,” as if the trauma had not occurred.
Therefore, at the moment research speaks of two main factors that lead to multiple personality disorder, trauma, and disorganized attachment.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.
