RESEARCH / PLANNING: DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER

I wanted to carry out research and planning of the Dissociative identity disorder to gain an greater understanding of this disorder because it plays an important part throughout our film opening. More research will let me plan the protagonists behaviour and characteristics which makes the characters profile to be more in-depth and realistic towards the disorder. This will make the audiences gain interest within the story-line as the characteristics will be as accurate as can be. 

For my research I have used the NHS website which allows a range of information about DID such as symptoms and the different types of DID. 

Symptoms 
Dissociation is a way the mind copes with too much stress and people who dissociate may feel disconnected from themselves and the world around them. The periods of dissociation can last for a relatively short time (hours or days) or for much longer (weeks or months).

It can sometimes last for years, but usually if a person has other dissociative disorders Many people with a dissociative disorder have had a traumatic event during childhood. This can linked to our film opening due to the protagonist experiencing traumatic events of emotional abuse from her father. 

Their symptoms : 

• movement
• sensation
• seizures
• periods of memory loss
• They may also feel uncertain about who they are and have many different identities

Different types of DID 

There are several different types of dissociative disorder.

The 3 main types are:

• Dissociative disorders of movement or sensation
• Dissociative amnesia
• Dissociative identity disorder

Dissociative disorders of movement or sensation

This disorder include seizures, paralysis and loss of sensation. There does not appear to be a physical cause, but it seems to be the result of a communication problem within the brain.

Dissocaitive Amnesia 

This disorder involves inability to recall important personal information that would not typically be lost with ordinary forgetting. It is usually caused by trauma or stress. Diagnosis is based on history after ruling out other causes of amnesia.

Dissociative Identity disorder 

DID is a mental disorder characterized by the maintenance of at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality states. This is accompanied by memory gaps beyond what would be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.