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Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder

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Memory for complex emotional material in dissociative identity disorder.

M Rose Barlow¹

¹Psychology Department, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1715, USA. rosebarlow@boisestate.edu

Journal of Trauma & Dissociation : the Official Journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)

|January 18, 2011

Summary

Women with dissociative identity disorder (DID) exhibit faster autobiographical memory recall but struggle with fear-related details compared to students. Childhood trauma significantly impacts memory in DID patients.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Neuroscience
Trauma Studies

Background:

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex mental health condition.
Memory disturbances are a core feature of DID.
The impact of trauma on memory functioning in DID requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate memory functioning in women diagnosed with DID.
To compare autobiographical memory recall and detailed story recall between DID patients and a control group.
To explore the relationship between childhood trauma and memory performance in DID.

Main Methods:

A cohort of 11 women with DID and 13 female students participated.
Memory was assessed using cue-word-induced autobiographical memory tasks.
Detailed recall of neutral and fear-related stories was evaluated.

Main Results:

DID participants demonstrated faster autobiographical memory retrieval than the student group.
DID participants showed impaired detailed recall for fear-based narratives compared to neutral ones.
The DID group reported significantly higher levels of childhood trauma.

Conclusions:

DID is associated with distinct patterns of memory functioning, including enhanced autobiographical recall and specific deficits in emotional memory.
Childhood trauma appears to be a significant factor influencing memory in DID.
This study highlights the need for integrated approaches in understanding trauma, emotion, and memory in DID.