Each alter has a distinct set of traits, personal history, and way of relating to the world.
These alters may have different names, mannerisms, genders, and preferences than the individual’s core personality.
There has long been controversy within the field of mental health about whether or not DID exists.
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There is evidence that people with DID are more susceptible tohypnosisand suggestibility.
Other experts, however, argue that there are recent studies that refute this idea of suggestion.
These studies have been used as evidence for the existence of actual alters.
Approximately 90% of people who have dissociative identity disorder have a history of past abuse.
Over time, chronic dissociation leads to the formation of different identities or alters.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
2015;52(1):3641. doi:10.5152/npa.2015.7390
National Alliance on Mental Health.Dissociative disorders.
Cleveland Clinic.Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder).
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5.
5th ed.American Psychiatric Publishing: 2013.
2014;9(6):e98795.
