Dissociative identity disorder: An empirical overview.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) has a controversial history in psychiatry.
• Scientific investigation of DID faces contextual challenges.
• Empirical data on DID is accumulating, necessitating a review.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine empirical data related to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
• To outline challenges in the scientific investigation of DID.
• To synthesize current knowledge on DID's validity, etiology, correlates, and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of DID-specific research meeting stringent criteria.
• Inclusion of studies with systematically investigated DID samples and psychometrically-sound measures.
• Organization of data around validity, phenomenology, etiology, epidemiology, neurobiological/cognitive correlates, and treatment.

Main Results:

• DID is a complex and valid disorder, distinguishable from other conditions with structured interviews.
• Etiology involves developmental and cultural factors, including severe childhood trauma.
• Prevalence is approximately 1% in the general population, higher in psychiatric settings.
• Psychobiological studies reveal correlates in brain areas and cognitive functions.
• Emerging phase-oriented, empirically-guided treatments show promise.

Conclusions:

• Empirical literature on DID is growing, though some areas require further investigation.
• Existing data confirm DID as a complex, valid, and relatively common disorder.
• DID is associated with developmental and cultural variables and is treatable with psychotherapy.