Dissociative Identity Disorders in Korea: Two Recent Cases.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Cultural Psychiatry

Background:

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe dissociative disorder.
• DID is rarely diagnosed in South and East Asia, potentially due to higher rates of possession disorder.
• Societal shifts and increased child abuse may influence DID prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report two cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in an inpatient psychiatric unit in South/East Asia.
• To explore potential factors contributing to the under-diagnosis and possible increase of DID in the region.

Main Methods:

• Diagnosis confirmed using a structured interview for dissociative disorders.
• Differential diagnoses were excluded through psychological, neuroimaging, and laboratory tests.
• Case study approach detailing two patients with DID.

Main Results:

• Two patients diagnosed with DID presented with distinct identity transitions.
• Diagnostic confirmation involved comprehensive psychological and medical evaluations.
• The cases suggest DID may be more prevalent than previously thought in this region.

Conclusions:

• DID diagnosis is confirmed in two patients in South/East Asia.
• Rapid societal changes and child abuse may be contributing factors to an increase in DID.
• DID may be an under-diagnosed condition in this region, necessitating further research.