Multiple Personality Disorder -Treatment and Control - Essay Example

Multiple Personality Disorder Multiple Personality Disorder Multiple personality disorder, also known as dissociative identity disorder, is a mental condition that is often characterized by different identity states. These identities are often relatively distinct in individuals and often affect the behavior and mannerisms of individuals who suffer from it. Even with the advancement in medical technology and expertise, there is still no consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The media is often quick to point out that this condition occurs or appears spontaneously. However, different experts believe that the disease and its symptoms are rarely spontaneous as most of those who suffer from it tend to have symptoms that vary with time. In most cases, the onset of the disease is often through memory interferences, which may result from trauma that the individual may have faced at some point in their lives, or sometimes stress. It also occurs during different stages of an individual’s life, and the severity of the symptoms can vary depending on how the individual is affected. The rising number of cases of individuals with such conditions may be attributed to the lack of knowledge and understanding on the subject of MPD or DID. Furthermore, the process of diagnosing and treating this disease is long and complex, but with the proper attention and care, individuals can go on to live normally after different episodes of MPD (Hayes, 2014). This paper will look at the disease with its effects, and analyze some of the steps that should be taken to ensure that the onset of the disease is monitored and controlled in some of the patients who seek medical help. Signs and symptoms of MPD There are various signs and symptoms of MPD, which are used to generally and vaguely try to diagnose the onset of such a mental condition. Healthcare practitioners and assistants need to be aware of such symptoms in order to properly assess the state that an individual may be in, so as not to misdiagnose them. However, it is advised that they should not be overly concerned by trying to classify or categorize these symptoms as they may lead to a poor interaction with the people that experience and show such signs (Hayes, 2014). One of the most common signs of MPD is the lack of understanding or consciousness to the outside world by individuals who suffer from this disease. This sometimes comes in the form of social withdrawal that turns a once social individual into a recluse, fearful of the world, because they do not seem to understand the manner in which it functions. In this symptom, the individual is often paranoid and fearful of things, even if they do not pose a threat to them. There is also the sudden loss of interest and motivation. Things that often brought joy and happiness to the affected individual may no longer have an effect on them, and this is often characterized by a lack of enthusiasm about life and some of its joys. Lack of proper self-care, hygiene, and poor demeanor at this stage are often indicators that something is wrong with the person. Speech anomaly can also be a symptom that makes individuals unable to make coherent or articulate conversations, and when they do intend to say something, their voice may not have any tinge of emotion (Hayes, 2014). Treatment and control of MPD A lot of controversy surrounds the treatment of individuals with MPD, which has led to individuals leading poor deprived lives, and sometimes without the hope of any effective treatment. Psychotherapy, often described in some quarters as harmful, may be the only method or technique that can effectively manage and control the MPD disease among people who suffer from it. There is indirect harm caused when different research studies and findings suggest that such treatments are harmful to the people they are meant to treat and care for. When this happens, countless opportunities are lost, especially when trying to find ways for individuals to cope with the disease (Brand, Loewenstein & Spiegel, 2014). Individuals with MPD need to have treatment schedules that address their specific conditions. It is only through these schedules that it is possible to reduce the adverse symptoms that most individuals suffer from, thus; reducing the chances of individuals having worse symptoms due to poor treatment regiments. Different models that may lead to the management of this disease should be used. First, stabilization of the symptoms should be considered, where individuals suffering from MPD can be taught how to regulate their impulses in their dissociative states, proper coordination and cooperation. Once this is complete, the trauma that was experienced should be revisited, paying careful attention to the individual’s safety and stability (Gentile, Dillon & Gillig, 2013). After this, the individual should be made to comprehend some of the future dealings of their life, health choices, activities, and relationships. A proper combination of these techniques can guarantee that an individual suffering from MPD gets the right attention for their condition, thus; ensuring that they live healthy and fulfilling lives. Presence of MPD in society Individuals who suffer from MPD are often associated with family histories where the family structure was dissociative in nature. What this implies is that as individuals grow and develop in such homes or families, it is easier for them to ‘create’ different states of self in order to cope with the things that are missing or affect them. These states, often referred to as alters, help them go through the different conditions they are exposed to, and eventually, begin to identify with such characters. Whenever these alters appear in individuals, the person affected may not be aware, and they often describe this as feeling different and the person they become seems to be a different person who may be in a dream or far off place (Treat, 2013). In America, the disease claims more than 5% of individuals who find themselves residents of psychiatric or mental hospitals. Different studies suggest that in America, the number of abused children is higher than in places such as Japan. This has often been used as an indicator of some of the dissociative cases reported. However, others suggest that in Japan, the number is likely to be as large as that in America, and that cases in Japan on dissociative disorders are progressively on the rise. In a society that is riddled with countless issues, people are becoming more dissociated or separated from what is going on around them, and some even welcome the feeling of not being a part of it (Treat, 2013). This presents a challenge to different societies that may not easily comprehend the nature of mental illness, and may have a daunting task in trying to link dissociative states with any medical conditions. Recommendations and conclusion Poor understanding on the subject of MPD or DID is what often leads to the different perceptions that surround people suffering from MPD. Just like any disease, the presence of MPD in individuals can be identified and addressed with proper care and attention. The stigma that is associated with the disease prevents some people from seeking help, and prevents society and families from accepting that it exists. It is the responsibility of society to accept that it plays a part in the dissociative states of some of the people affected. Abuse, often the most common cause of most dissociative states, should be addressed before any other aspects of MPD can be dealt with. For people who suffer prolonged abuse, being internally united may be a foreign concept they may not fully comprehend (Nicki, 2008). It is being dissociative that enables them to cope, thus; improving their chances of survival. It takes a strong sense of self to pull one out of the chaos that surrounds people in modern times, and this may be the only way to have firm ground on realism. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), stemming from different traumatic experiences, should be used to bring out survivors who can rely on their strengths to become independent despite the pain and anguish they experienced. Different forums should exist that not only allow people to talk about their experiences, but also give them an avenue to take control of their lives. This can give society the time to accept that there is a problem, and focus their energies on dealing with, caring for, and interacting with people who suffer from this disease (Nicki, 2008). References Brand, B. L., Loewenstein, R. J., & Spiegel, D. (2014). Dispelling myths about dissociative identity disorder treatment: An empirically based approach. Psychiatry 77(2), 169-191. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.zeus.tarleton.edu:82/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=7acf9d45-41eb-44e8-902c-7f506974efbf%40sessionmgr4002&vid=2&hid=4102 Gentile, J. P., Dillon, K. S., & Gillig, P. M. (2013). Psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for patients with dissociative identity disorder. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience 10(2), 22-29. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.zeus.tarleton.edu:82/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=39e94ca8-3314-4aca-a7cc-7a06122d4d24%40sessionmgr4004&vid=1&hid=4102 Hayes, C. (2014). Multiple personality disorder: An introduction for HCAs. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 8(1), 29-33. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.zeus.tarleton.edu:82/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=02d6fef2-2595-40cd-9a48-8de825f8a84d%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4102 Nicki, A. (2008). Rethinking ‘Multiple Personality Disorder’: Recovering moral agency. Social Alternatives 27(4), 28-35. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.zeus.tarleton.edu:82/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=4a6b6b25-a3ab-4441-9434-8dab7c499b1b%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4102 Treat, J. W. (2013). Murakami Haruki and the cultural materialism of multiple personality disorder. Japan Forum 25(1), 87-111. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.zeus.tarleton.edu:82/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a019f11f-6bc9-4447-a9cd-c8a622659bd8%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4102 Read More