Unique Defenses, Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative identity disorderIntroductionDissociation is a mechanism that protects an individual’s emotional self from traumatic events, both during and after the events, and disrupts the integrated functions of the memory, consciousness, perception and identity. Dissociation interferes with normal living and functions of a person, and the ability to deal with daily realities and traumatic events. Dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder, originates from experiences of early childhood trauma, usually caused by maltreatment. Features of the disorder include; taking personalities of two or more different and distinct personalities and behavior, inability to recall valuable personal information that ought not to be forgotten by an ordinary person, inability to recall one’s past, and fragmentation of personalities rather than proliferation of different and separate personalities (Schultz and Videheck 2008). The disorder varies from one patient to another and the impairments being temporary.Sexual disorder is an example of dissociative identity disorders, especially to those offended and sometimes to the offenders. Sexual disorder portrayed by William Greene in 1989 in a program for sex offenders while in prison is an example, which was identified by a psychotherapist who was taking William through her sessions. While undergoing the session, the psychotherapist noticed twenty-four different personalities and fifteen fragmentary personalities. The personalities regressed with age; even after being released from prison. While committing the crime, William acted like a three-or-four-year-old boy which proven not to be him. His innocent side of personality raised questions, as it was the same individual but with totally different characters and personalities.William was charged with sexual assaulting and kidnapping, but after his second trial, he was pleaded not guilty due to the various personalities he portrayed. He proved to be innocent since he did not know when and how he committed the crime. Different personalities portrayed by Greene before and after his release from prison added to the judges’ verdict of proving him innocent (Fersch and Laphamersch 2005).ReferencesFersch, E. A. (2005). Thinking About the Insanity Defense: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions with Case Examples. Balton: iUniverse.Schaltz, J. A. (2008). Lippincott's Manual of Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans. Chicago: Wolters Kluwer …