Abstract
In this study an attempt was made to investigate the phenomenological experience of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Due to the controversial nature of DID, there is very little literature available about the experiences of DID. In this study participants were asked to describe their experiences of DID.
Phenomenological research procedures were used. Interviews were conducted with four participants, who were asked to describe their experiences of DID. The participants related their experience of DID and how it affected their lives to the researcher. The participants’ experiences were analysed within the framework of existential phenomenology. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.
The main themes that arose were the following: establishment of an existential baseline, where participants compared and contrasted their lives pre- and post integration; and idiosyncratic life experiences before, during and after treatment. The main themes were then divided into sub themes that related specifically to the idiosyncratic life experiences. The sub themes that were identified are: memory loss that occurs due to the experience of time lapses. Time lapses are caused by switching between alter personalities; due to laps of time and memory loss the participants’ daily existence prior to integration caused them to experience feelings of being overwhelmed which lead the participants to try to avoid interaction with other people and situations. The avoidance of interaction with others caused the participants to feel alienated from the environment and themselves. During therapy participants learnt to identify their alter personalities. These alter personalities could be divided into two groups namely alter personalities that made the participants’ life easier (these personalities helped them with their daily functions) and alter personalities that hinder participants (these personalities caused problems and chaos). Central to dealing with DID was the use of a variety of coping mechanisms, which were highly individualistic and enabled participants to cope prior to integration.
This research also indicated that individuals diagnosed with DID have a need for their experiences be heard and unconditionally understood. This research has important implications for society at large and specifically for those within the profession of psychology. The value of this research lies primarily in its ability to facilitate an in-depth understanding and insight into the experiences of people with DID.
The strength of the study lies in the use of a phenomenological framework, as it provides access to a rich, broad and deep description of the subjective experience of DID. While the qualitative research paradigm yields fundamental insight into the subjective experiences of the meaning making of DID, it cannot quantify these experiences or establish correlations or causality. These limitations may be circumvented through the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods in future research.
This research has fulfilled its objective of obtaining an in-depth description of the experience of DID. The rich descriptions of this phenomenon serve to demonstrate the complexities, individuality and uniqueness of the experience of DID.
Mnr. P. Basson
Dr. I. van der Merwe