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Multiple personality disorder in Japan

Y Fujii1, K Suzuki, T Sato

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Kitabayashi Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.

Insights

Features of multiple personality disorder (MPD) in Japan differ from North America, particularly in the number of personalities and reported abuse prevalence. This study compares Japanese MPD cases to international data.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Cross-cultural psychology

Background:

  • Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) prevalence varies globally.
  • Understanding regional MPD features is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical features of MPD in Japan with those in North America.
  • To investigate potential differences in MPD presentation across cultures.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical data from published Japanese MPD case reports were analyzed.
  • Two additional Japanese cases were included.
  • Japanese MPD data were compared with international case data.

Main Results:

  • Japanese MPD cases showed a significantly lower mean number of distinct personalities compared to North American cases.
  • The prevalence of reported sexual and/or physical abuse differed between Japanese and North American MPD cases.

Conclusions:

  • MPD presents with distinct characteristics in Japan compared to North America.
  • Cultural factors may influence the manifestation and reporting of MPD symptoms, including abuse history.

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