Are There Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Fakers?
By
PsychReel
In this blog, we will discuss Dissociative Identity Disorder Fakers, and cover what is Dissociative Identity Disorder, who are DID fakers, conditions related to DID, the prevalence of DID, when to see a doctor, treatment of DID, and answer frequently asked questions.
Are There Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Fakers?
Yes, there are people who fake having a dissociative personality disorder. Even though there are people who often exaggerate what they are going through, we should not judge people with mental illnesses like DID and speculate that they are faking it because we can’t make sense of their plight.
Individuals who are faking or simulating DID due to factitious disorder or some other reason will typically exaggerate symptoms (especially when witnessed), mislead, blame negative behavior on symptoms, and frequently exhibit little sorrow about their apparent diagnosis. We are going to talk about this in detail in this article.
What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) was initially described in the DSM-III in 1980 and was later renamed Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in later editions of the diagnostic handbook (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Some healthcare providers believe it is relatively infrequent or is related to passing trends.
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a psychiatric illness. DID patients have two or more distinct identities. These identities have varying levels of control over their actions at different times. Each identity has its own personal history, characteristics, preferences, and dislikes. DID can cause memory gaps and hallucinations (thinking something is real when it isn’t).
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is one of several dissociative disorders. These conditions impair a person’s capacity to connect with reality. Other dissociative disorders include as follows:
● Depersonalization disorder, also known as derealization disorder, is characterized by a sense of detachment from one’s behavior.
● Dissociative amnesia refers to difficulties recalling knowledge about oneself.
A person suffering from dissociative identity disorder (DID) frequently has a “primary personality” that is passive, dependent, and depressed.
Their alternate identities, or “alters,” may be of different ages and gender, with varying emotions and interests.
These different personalities are thought to take turns being in charge. When a personality loses control, it dissociates or detaches and may be oblivious of what is going on.
The influence of DID symptoms on a person’s quality of life varies according on how many changes they have, their social circumstances, and whether they have any other health concerns.
Conditions that are related to DID
DID is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a number of other mental health disorders.
Other dissociative disorders include as follows:
● Depersonalization due to dissociative amnesia
● Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
● Anxiety, dissatisfaction, and depression
What is the prevalence of DID?
DID is quite uncommon. Between 0.01 and 1% of the population is affected by the illness. It can happen at any age. DID is more common in women than in men.
What is the root cause of dissociative identity disorder (DID)?
DID is typically the outcome of sexual or physical abuse as a youngster. It can arise as a result of a natural disaster or other stressful events, such as combat. The condition is a mechanism for people to distance themselves from or detach from trauma.
What are the symptoms and indicators of DID?
A person suffering from DID has two or more unique personas. The person’s “core” identity is their typical personality. Alternate personalities are referred to as “Alters.” Some patients with DID have up to 100 different personalities.
Alters are often diametrically opposed to one another. Genders, ethnicities, interests, and ways of engaging with their environments may differ among the identities.
Other frequent DID signs and symptoms include:
● Anxiety
● Delusions
● Depression
● Disorientation
● Abuse of drugs or alcohol
● Memory lapses
● Suicidal ideation or self-harm
DID test and assessment
There is no single test that can be used to diagnose DID. Your symptoms and personal health history will be reviewed by a healthcare provider. They may do tests to rule out any underlying physical reasons for your symptoms, such as head injuries or brain tumors.
DID symptoms most commonly appear in childhood, between the ages of 5 and 10. However, parents, schools, and healthcare providers may miss the warning indications. DID may be confused with other common behavioral or learning issues in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As a result, DID is typically not identified until maturity.
Inside the thriving dissociative identity disorder subculture on TikTok
Asher and his DID
When chatting with someone as cheery and vibrant as Asher, a member of the TikTok collective The A System based in Texas, it’s tough to understand how such a good person could have sparked so much controversy.
However, Asher and his cohort, like many high-profile influencers on the network, have been the target of hatred. “Being branded false once or twice is hard, but being called fake thousands of times will eat at you,” Asher, a dark-haired and bespectacled man, explains. “Some have suggested that we be executed.”
Asher, on the other hand, is not a conventional influencer. He is one of 29 members of a “system” who all share a single body, brain, and existence. Each individual, or “alter,” in the system is a unique type of awareness.
This collection of personalities coexists in the body of a 31-year-old man with dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple personality disorder. Since February 2021, the A System’s account has garnered 1.1 million followers, making it by far the most popular in the DID TikTok community.
Asher, who refers to himself as “the best alter,” serves as The A System’s “emotional protector.” He is 22, and the community refers to him as “frozen,” in the sense that he does not age in the same manner that his body does.
Alex, the deep-voiced fan favorite, is 32; April, a Starbucks-loving female alter who frequently controls the body during showers, is 20; and Art, a young woman obsessed with succulent plants and Pokémon, is 18.
Chris and his DID
Chris, the “host” of the system and the individual diagnosed with DID, owns the entire system. The A System creates videos with the help of Chris’ wife, Sam, who features in videos on both The A System’s and her own TikTok accounts. Sam has a variety of connections.
Art launched the group’s TikTok account to meet other people with DID, but Asher has now taken charge. “It was quite surprising how quickly we blew up on TikTok,” Asher explains. “Everyone was taken aback by that. That’s why Art doesn’t do it anymore.”
DID is a rather uncommon condition. The American Psychiatric Association’s fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, indicates that 1.5 percent of American adults suffer from DID in a 12-month period.
Asher talks about DID
People with DID frequently have amnesia regarding early memories associated with their trauma, and many are currently working to uncover these through therapy. Art posted a video a few months ago outlining why interrogating someone about their trauma is “never a good thing.”
“Because of our platform, this is going to seem really bizarre, but we’re very private individuals,” Asher says Input. He distinguishes between the public aspects of DID influence (such as changes and switching) and the more personal aspects (like severe childhood trauma).
When should you see a doctor?
Some patients with dissociative disorders present in a crisis with overwhelming traumatic flashbacks or dangerous behavior. People who exhibit these symptoms should visit an emergency room.
Call your doctor if you or a loved one is experiencing urgent or non-urgent symptoms of a dissociative condition or episode.
Treatment for dissociative identity disorder (DID)
Certain drugs may help with DID symptoms like depression or anxiety. However, psychotherapy is the most effective treatment. A healthcare provider who has specific training in mental health conditions, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, can direct you to the appropriate treatment. The individual, group, or family therapy may be beneficial to you.
The therapy focuses on:
● Identifying and resolving prior trauma or abuse.
● Managing unexpected behavioral changes.
● combining multiple identities into a single identity
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
Hypnosis as an aid in the treatment of DID
Some doctors may recommend hypnosis in conjunction with psychotherapy. Guided meditation is a type of hypnotherapy. It may aid in the recovery of suppressed memories.
Prevention of DID
There is no way to avoid DID. However, recognizing the indications as early as possible in life and obtaining therapy might help you control symptoms. Parents, caregivers, and teachers should be on the lookout for warning indications in young children. DID may be prevented from worsening if treatment begins soon after an episode of abuse or trauma.
Treatment can also aid in the identification of triggers that induce personality or identity shifts. Stress and substance abuse are common triggers. Managing stress and abstaining from drugs and alcohol may help lessen the frequency of various changes that regulate your behavior.
Life of a person with DID
DID has no known cure. The majority of people will have to live with the illness for the rest of their life. However, a combination of treatments can help alleviate discomfort. You can learn to control your conduct more effectively. You may improve your performance at work, at home, and in your community over time.
Is it possible to make living with DID more bearable?
Living with DID can be made easier with a solid support system. Ascertain that your healthcare providers, family members, and friends are aware of and understand your illness. Communicate openly and honestly with your support system, and don’t be hesitant to ask for assistance.
Complications associated with DID
People suffering from dissociative disorders are more likely to have problems and linked disorders, such as:
● Self-mutilation or self-harm
● Suicidal ideation and behavior
● Sexual impotence
● Disorders of alcoholism and drug use
● Anxiety and depression disorders
● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
● Personality flaws
● Nightmares, insomnia, and sleepwalking are all examples of sleep disorders.
● Disorders of eating
● Lightheadedness or non-epileptic seizures are examples of physical symptoms.
● Significant challenges in personal and professional relationships
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Are There Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Fakers?
What are the four types of dissociative disorders?
Dissociative disorders include amnesia, fugue, depersonalization disorder, and dissociative identity disorder.
What is the duration of dissociative episodes?
Dissociation can last for a short period of time (hours or days) or for much longer (weeks or months). It can endure for years in certain cases, but usually only if the person has additional dissociative disorders. Many people with dissociative disorders experienced a traumatic event as a youngster.
What is the impact of DID on the brain?
DID patients had reduced cortical and subcortical volumes in the hippocampus, amygdala, parietal structures involved in perception and personal awareness, and frontal regions involved in movement execution and fear learning as compared to normal controls.
What does a DID alter to look like?
One person reported having alters as everyone being together in the same car, taking turns driving. Another person characterised the alters experience as being like being on a crowded bus; sometimes it’s noisy and scary, and other times it’s quiet and peaceful.
How do alters come to be?
Alters are generated when no existing components can integrate new materials (e.g., memories, strong emotions, perceptions, attachment styles) because these things are viewed as excessively dangerous or conflicting with what is currently possessed.
Can an alter cause other alters to occur?
She was easily afraid and disliked being alone. As a result, Colette constructed an altered identity. We came to refer to this individual as “Mother.” Any of the alter personalities have the ability to generate a new alter.
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