How to Know if You Have a Dissociated Personality

Dissociative Identity Disorder, or DID, is defined as the presence of two or more personalities or "alters" present within the same individual. Formerly referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, this disorder tends to be chronic and recurrent. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders outlines the diagnostic criteria for the disorder, which can only be diagnosed by a mental health professional.

Instructions

• 1

  Explore your past for a history of severe physical or sexual abuse. Although it is not a diagnostic criterion, this is a frequent precursor to a diagnosis of DID. It is thought that the personality states develop as a way to cope with the abuse. These alters allow you to dissociate yourself from a situation that is too traumatic to accept.

• 2

  Identify two or more distinct identities. Each personality state must have its own enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to and thinking about the environment. Distinguish these from mood swings, such as those associated with bipolar disorder. Mood swings may be severe, and may be out of character, but they differ due to the absence of a distinctly separate self. Each personality has its own way of talking, posture and gestures. They may be a different sex from you and are typically different ages.

• 3

  Identify situations, events or facts that you are unable to recall. More than forgetfulness, this extensive lack of recall may include events of an entire day or important facts about yourself. Some individuals describe these events as blackouts during which they cannot account for what they did or where they were. These blackouts typically occur during the presence of the alternative personality state; However, some people are aware of the presence of other personalities.

• 4

  Rule out the effects of a substance or medical condition as a cause for behavior disturbances. Blackouts, angry outbursts and other chaotic behavior occur during illegal drug use, alcohol intoxication and complex partial seizures. In addition, individuals who react negatively to prescription medications may exhibit bizarre behavioral changes.

• 5

  Identify multiple times in which these alternative states have taken over your behavior. Switching may be triggered by environmental events, such as stressful situations, hearing someone yelling or being in crowded places. However, switching may occur without a trigger. The length of time that switching occurs varies greatly, from minutes to days.