Multiple Personality Disorder Test

Facts behind Multiple Personality Disorder Test

You may be wondering whether there is a multiple personality disorder test that will accurately diagnose the condition. But before we proceed any further, let us first get acquainted with the condition.

Multiple Personality Disorder, otherwise known as Dissociative Identity Disorder, has been found to be a result of severe trauma occurring during early childhood. The traumatic incident endured by the child has been repetitive and extreme, which may be physical or emotional in nature.

The disorder is a severe form of dissociation that results to a lack of connection within the patient’s thoughts, feelings and memories and even the sense of identity is lacking as well. It is a form of coping mechanism so that the patient can deal with the traumatic incident in his life.

The condition is quite rare, which affects approximately 0.1% to 1% of the general population although more than 33% feel like they are watching themselves at times and around 7% remained undiagnosed.

Symptoms of the condition may present as:

• *Major depression
• *Volatile temperament characterized by mood swings
• *Suicidal ideation or tendencies
• *Sleep disturbance such as insomnia
• *Development of phobias; anxiety or panic attacks
• *Obsessive compulsions
• *Psychotic presentations like auditory and visual hallucinations
• *Eating disorders

Usually, the multiple personality disorder test involves looking at the symptoms of the patients and basing it on the DSM-IV or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition.

However, the diagnosis will take time. Statistics showed that patients stayed within a mental health facility for seven years before getting accurate diagnosis. The reason behind is because the symptoms present are similar to other forms of mental health disorders. In fact, secondary conditions such as anxiety, depression and panic disorders have been found on the same patient.

Even if an accurate multiple personality test has not yet been formulated due to this difficulty, DSM-IV has provided several criteria, which the diagnosis of the condition has been entirely based. It includes the following:

1. Having two or more identities or personalities present during a form of multiple personality test or evaluation in relation to perception, interaction and thought processing about self and the environment.

2. Having at least two of the personalities repeatedly take control over the patient’s thoughts, emotions and behavior.

3. The patient has had some gaps in memory especially in recalling important information, which is too extensive to be explained and described by usual forgetfulness.

4. The condition is not a result of external effects such as alcohol intoxication, substance abuse or physiological confusion like blackouts; it should also not be the result of secondary medical condition like seizures.

There really “no cure” for multiple personality disorder yet long-term therapy and treatment has shown positive results as long as the patient stays committed and dedicated to the treatment plan. Treatment includes hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, some medications and adjunctive therapies.

The medications utilized for the disorder are usually similar to treatments given for other disorders due to the resemblance of the symptoms presented. Usually, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are given so that patients will benefit more.

Finally, since no accurate form of multiple personality disorder test has been formulated, seeking medical help is imperative.

Multiple Personality Disorder Test

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