What is dissociative identity disorder?

Still to this day, this psychological condition is most often referred to by its previous name: multiple personality disorder. That’s in particular down to exaggerated representations in popular culture like books, TV or cinema. Some prominent examples are the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho or, more recently, Split. Experts have criticised the use of DID as a plot device in such representations, saying they often confuse it with other disorders like psychosis or schizophrenia. They also perpetuate certain myths about people with mental illnesses. These include the idea that they are usually dangerous or have flamboyant personalities.

So what is DID really like then? Doesn’t that happen to everyone? Where does it come from? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

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