Yes, I think DID has as much validity as MPD.... The reasons for the
"dissociations" and behaviors can vary. And indeed, what people think of
dissociation can vary. People can/do "present" themselves this way based
largely on their ideas/beliefs about these "disorders." In the 70s and 80s I
thought these would be relatively rare and described them to classes as such.
Then I met a few students who were being treated for MPD. They did seem to me,
to be easily suggestible.
I met a five-year old, "skippy" because he handed in a paper in my class. I
am pretty easy as to how papers are constructed, but in those days I seemed to
draw a line regarding use of crayon drawings. I had to have a talk with the
student, and soon met her other characters/alters. She didn't describe major
trauma, but rather a habit of fantasy and withdrawal that she acquired during
mild stress/conflict. I only recall three alters. Of course, it was difficult
to learn what what might actually have come from her life or her therapist's
imagination. In either case, I indicated firmly that I would be teaching only
her and that papers must be her responsibility. She had roommates who would
look out for her when she became the wild, party type....at least that is what
she said. I also asked her to write about her idea of the "self" as this was a
Personality class. I asked also if I could share her account with other
classes. She did well. Last I heard...this was late seventies, she had
graduated and was completing Social Work program.
The other student case was tied to a person making excuses for her class work
and wanting to discuss her problems. She seemed more involved in justifying her
DID/MPD diagnoses, seemed resentful about her health treatment, but had a
scolding side/alter and sexy-sounding side, and implied she could bring more
out. Here again, I tried to state strongly that she must "pull all together" as
I would not tolerate separate work. I remember feeling as if she wanted to
prove to me she could bring the others out so as to confirm her diagnosis to
me. I felt I needed to not agree to such social/language games, but just be the
prof.
As a social psychologist, I tend to view many mental health diagnoses, once
given, as involving ways patients/clients adapt to a social-political system of
beliefs and norms that often shape the progression of symptoms presented. I am
sure this is the case in other health arenas as well.
G.L. (Gary) Peterson,Ph.D
Psychology@SVSU
> On Apr 15, 2015, at 12:33 PM, Jeffry Ricker, Ph.D.
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Apr 15, 2015, at 5:02 AM, Michael Britt <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I have spoken to a few clinicians who agree that while multiple personality
>> disorder probably doesn’t exist
>
> MPD/DID undoubtedly “exists"—that is, people exhibit the symptoms. The
> controversy has always been over how best to explain the development of this
> cluster of symptoms.
>
>> , people do indeed “dissociate”. In one of the videos so far mentioned a
>> clinician says that dissociation is similar to that experience we have when
>> we are driving and we arrive somewhere but don’t know how we got there.
>
> In my classes, this is one area where I prefer to use the old psychoanalytic
> concept of levels of awareness or the more modern cognitive concept of
> automatic processes.
>
> I think of “highway hypnosis” as resulting from well-learned responses that
> have become “habitual." When our attention is focused on something else,
> habitual responses activated by the situation we are in take over. This may
> be thought of as occurring at the preconscious level (if we are using a
> Freudian approach) or automatic processing of information (if we are using a
> cognitive approach). I wish I had more time right now to discuss the nuances
> (e.g., Zajonc’s work)—maybe later.
>
> I studied the concept of dissociation for several years and I have to admit
> that I’ve never gained a clear understanding of it, perhaps because it’s been
> conceptualized in so many ways.
>
> Best,
> Jeff
>
> --
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Jeffry Ricker, Ph.D.
> Professor of Psychology
> Curriculum Vitae
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Scottsdale Community College
> 9000 E. Chaparral Road
> Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
> Office: SB-123
> Phone: (480) 423-6213
> Fax: (480) 423-6298
>
>
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