Dissociative Identity Disorder

A. Disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states or an experience of possession, as evidenced by discontinuities in sense of self, cognition, behavior, affect, perceptions, and/or memories.  This disruption may be observed by others or reported by the patient.

B.  Inability to recall important personal information, for everyday events or traumatic events, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetfulness.

C.  Causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. *

D.  The disturbance is not a normal part of a broadly accepted cultural or religious practice and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during Alcohol intoxication) or a general medical condition (e.g., complex partial seizures).  NOTE: In children, the symptoms are not attributable to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play. 

Specify if:** 

a) With non-epileptic seizures or other conversion symptoms

b) With somatic symptoms that vary across identities (excluding those in specifier a)

* The workgroup will further consider whether Criterion C is necessary

** These specifiers are under consideration.

A. Clarification of language, including indicating that different states can be reported or observed, reducing use of Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.  Including Trance and Possession Disorder by mentioning “experience of possession” increases global utility.

B. Noting that amnesia for everyday events is a common feature.

C. This criterion is included in DSM-IV Dissociative Trance Disorder. Including it may help differentiate normative cultural experiences from psychopathology.

D. Addition from DSM-IV Dissociative Trance Disorder to increase cross-cultural applicability

Specifiers: a) A substantial proportion of patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder have conversion symptoms, which are related to their dissociative disorder and require special clinical attention and treatment. b) Some Dissociative Identity Disorder patients have dissociative variations in somatic symptoms that require clarification for differential medical diagnosis and treatment.

Reference: Spiegel D et al. (Depression & Anxiety; in preparation)

Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder)

A. The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states (each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self).

B. At least two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the person's behavior.

C. Inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

D. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during Alcohol Intoxication) or a general medical condition (e.g., complex partial seizures). Note: In children, the symptoms are not attributable to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play.