The clinical phenomenology of multiple personality disorder: review of 100 recent cases

J Clin Psychiatry. 1986 Jun;47(6):285-93.

Abstract

The clinical syndrome of multiple personality disorder (MPD) is an unusual dissociative condition that has been poorly characterized. In an attempt to better delineate the clinical phenomenology of MPD, 100 recent cases were collected on a 386-item questionnaire completed by clinicians involved in the treatment of MPD patients. This study documents the existence of a clinical syndrome characterized by a core of depressive and dissociative symptoms and a childhood history of significant trauma, primarily child abuse.

MeSH terms

  • Acting Out
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Child
  • Child Abuse
  • Cognition
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Depressive Disorder / complications
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder / complications
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manuals as Topic
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / genetics
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Personality
  • Sex Factors