Resources
Dell, P.F., & O’Neil, J. A. (2009). Dissociation and the Dissociative Disorders: DSM-V and Beyond. New York: Routledge.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
Office Of Equal Employment Opportunities. Faculty Guide to Accommodating Students with Disabilities, Western California University.
Sar, V. (2006). The Scope of Dissociative Disorders: An International Perspective. Psychiatric Clinics of North America
Spiegel, David & Loewenstein, Richard & Lewis-fernandez, Roberto & Sar, Vedat & Simeon, Daphne & Vermetten, Eric & Cardeña, Etzel & Brown, Richard & Dell, Paul. (2012). Dissociative Disorders in DSM5DMS (vol 28, pg E17, 2011). Depression and Anxiety. 29. 747-747. 10.1002/da.21936.
DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER
Definition
Dissociative identity disorder is the presence of two or more distinct personality states or an experience of possession. There are two main branches defined by the criteria for dissociative identity disorder. The first branch describes a group that suffers from identity dissociation, in that they feel like they are not the ones in control. They report feeling that they have become only passive observers in their speech and actions, and feel they are powerless to stop. These individuals may also report that they are hearing voices.
The second branch reports gaps in memory during episodes of dissociation. The memory loss can manifest in three different ways. The first is in forgetting past life events (i.e. getting married or childhood memories). The second is dependable memory (i.e. events that happened during the day or how to do various tasks). The third is finding evidence of their actions despite having no memory of their actions (i.e. seeing they did the dishes but having no memory of doing them).
In many cultures the idea of being possessed can in reality be dissociative identity disorder. These cases fall within the first branch, with individuals reporting that they weren't in control, and that they were speaking as if they were replaced by a phantom or demon (DSM-V, 292-294).
Instructional Strategies
One strategy that can be used is alternative note taking, such as taking notes by laptop or tape recorder, because if the a student with dissociative identity disorder has an episode that prevents them from taking traditional notes. Thus, giving students with dissociative identity disorder a way to passively take notes.
Another strategy is allowing a student with dissociative identity disorder testing accommodations such as extended times or private rooms. This is to allow episodes to pass during an exam without the episodes harming the student's grade.
Work with the students to negotiate how absences, late work, and other classwork will be handled if interfered by psychological states, treatments, or medication adjustments.
Reduce course loads in order to accommodate any possible interruptions caused by the disorder.
Arrange seating, allowing the student to leave the room if they feel it is necessary.
Make sure a student with dissociative identity disorder has/finds professional help (WCU, 24).
Useful Websites
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This article is about a 4 year-old with dissociative identity disorder, and through her story the disorder is defined in nature, cause, and impact.
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https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2014/11/17/19177615/
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This link is for a video about a woman who has lived for as long as she can remember with dissociative identity disorder. The video goes into detail describing how, why, and when dissociative identity disorder starts.
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http://www.aninfinitemind.com/about.html
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This is a website for a non-profit group that aims to improve the lives of those who are survivors of trauma based dissociation, with a large focus on dissociative identity disorder.
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https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/dissociative-disorders/what-are-dissociative-disorders
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This is a website that explains what dissociative identity disorder is and has a different sub link for each of the three different kinds of dissociative identity disorder.
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This website has a support group for people with dissociative disorders, such as dissociative identity disorder.
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Research
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Summary: “Dissociation and the Dissociative Disorders is a book that has no real predecessor in the dissociative disorders field. It reports the most recent scientific findings and conceptualizations about dissociation; defines and establishes the boundaries of current knowledge in the dissociative disorders field; identifies and carefully articulates the field’s current points of confusion, gaps in knowledge, and conjectures; clarifies the different aspects and implications of dissociation; and sets forth a research agenda for the next decade. In many respects, Dissociation and the Dissociative Disorders both defines and redefines the field” (Dell).
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International research has documented the universality of dissociative disorders. Not only are dissociative disorders common in various countries but they are also clinically similar in different cultures (Sar).
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With the purpose of suggesting edits and revisions to the DSM, while including arguments for other cases this paper takes a stand to change the diagnostic criteria for dissociative identity disorder.
Other
Dissociative identity disorder used to be called multiple personality disorder but the two are now separated because multiple personality disorder means there are multiple personalities competing with one another. Meanwhile, dissociative identity disorder means the person experiences an uncontrollable disassociation with their body, and not a competitive disassociation.