Introduction
For the topic of the final assignment, the movie Split was chosen, upon which an in-depth analysis of a character’s disorder will be conducted. The film is centered around the main character Kevin, who struggles with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) also known as multiple personality disorder. There are twenty-three alternative personalities, which define the character’s severe condition. All identities, with whom Kevin lives, are distinct from each other with separate emotional and mental states, styles, and voices. Moreover, some of these personalities have violent tendencies and are considered dangerous to society. It is almost impossible to see Kevin’s primary identity, as the alternative characters take up most of his life; however, when he is in control, the viewers see him as a fragile man, who has a baggage of personal struggles. Throughout the film, the audience learns that Kevin frequently visits a psychotherapist, who tries to help the man control his alternative personality. The movie did a fascinating job of displaying a character with such a complex illness as dissociative identity disorder.
The Character’s Diagnosis in Terms of the DSM-V
The main character of the movie Split Kevin suffers from a severe form of dissociative identity disorder, where twenty-three alternative selves are living inside of one person. American Psychiatric Association (2018) defines the cause of multiple personality disorder as “overwhelming experiences, traumatic events and/or abuse that occurred in childhood (para. 7). It was indeed discovered that disturbing youth became the reason for Kevin to develop such a mental condition.
The latest guide of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders released in 2013 provides numerous diagnostic criteria for dissociative identity disorder. The main symptom identified by DSM-5 among people with multiple personality syndrome is the disruption of identity. It is demonstrated by the existence of two or more noticeable states of personality (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). People with such illnesses show a vivid discontinuity in the sense of self, in addition to a significant shift in behavior. Another evident symptom is the loss of memory, difficulty recalling daily events, and especially traumatic experiences that are unusual for a healthy individual (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Among other signs that a person has dissociative identity disorder is that these expressions cause severe disruption in communicative interactions or other vital socializing areas.
Moreover, if a person is unusually disturbed and acts against cultural or religious beliefs, it may be a possible manifestation of an alternative personality. Lastly, if a patient takes medication and their behavior does not conform with current medication or medical condition, it may be an evident sign of multiple personality disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Therefore, there are some apparent symptoms portrayed by a patient, according to the DSM-5, that help diagnose a dissociative identity disorder.
Main Character’s Etiology of the Dissociative Identity Disorder
Multiple personality disorder is known to have several primary causes that trigger a person to develop alternative identities. In most cases, DID is established in early childhood as a protection mechanism from the ongoing trauma a kid I experiencing. Researchers define dissociative identity disorder as a “chronic complex post-traumatic developmental disorder,” signs of which begin to manifest in the early years of life (Sar et al., 2017 p. 138). The emerging illness is a result of children’s inability to develop a full image of self-awareness amidst disruptive states of stress and trauma.
Identity alterations may also be related to some post-traumatic stress. Multiple personality disorder may be an elaborated version of a protective avoidance mechanism of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Sar et al., 2017). However, the distinct difference of DID from PTSD is that in this disease, acquired identities have their distinguishing personalities, which is supported by evident breaks in consciousness between them, which does not apply to PTSD. Kevin demonstrates multiple personalities that all were developed on the background of some childhood trauma. Each identity is responsible for protecting the character from some actions, with one being primary, in this case – Barry.
The cause of Kevin’s mental dysfunction adheres to all the guidelines of the illness’s etiology. From the movie, the audience discovers that the dissociative identity disorder is a result of Kevin’s childhood suffering, caused by his mother. When he was a kid, the boy’s mother would physically abuse him for the smallest mistakes he would do; therefore, Kevin started developing multiple personalities in that background. Some of Kevin’s alternative identities would be responsible for protecting him from the specific traumatic experience. For instance, Dennis, who is a neat freak, appeared after numerous beatings for the most discreet untidiness.
An In-Depth Analysis of the Treatment Prescribed for The Character
Dissociative identity disorder has no official, evidence-based treatment plans or guidelines, due to the complexity of the disease, and the lack of research on the topic. The ultimate goal for the doctors in terms of treating DID is to ensure the full safety of the individual and the people around them. Moreover, psychotherapists need to connect all the alternative identities of a person into one personality who can function normally (Cleveland Clinic, 2016). The most widely used technique of multiple personality disorder treatment is individual psychodynamic psychotherapy. The medical care for patients with such a complicated disorder is commonly conducted in 3 stages. The first phase is associated with the stabilization of symptoms, and the second phase confronts all the traumatic memories, followed by the last stage of identity rehabilitation (Huntjens et al., 2019). Such treatment of DID is the common practice used by doctors who have shown exceptionally effective outcomes.
Among other possible methods for stabilizing the state of a person with multiple personality disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on altering thinking patterns. Family therapy is designed to teach relatives about the disease and may show positive results. Medication is found helpful for people with DID who have evident signs of anxiety or depression. The research on efficient treatment for people with dissociative identity disorder is progressing slowly, as patients with the disease are rarely included in studies, and not many scientists believe in the actuality of such illness (Huntjens et al., 2019). Nevertheless, many patients with DID are successfully treated and taught to live with such a complex disorder.
In the movie Split, the main character Kevin has weekly appointments with his psychiatrist Dr. Karen Fletcher, who he has attended for many years. The sessions help the man keep his identities in check and share any troubles or anxieties he experiences. For a long time, Dr. Fletcher has been studying Kevin and learning everything about all the twenty-three personalities he has. Such a long-term treatment has not only evoked trust between the patient and the doctor but also continually aided in managing the alternates, keeping the man’s life under control.
The advantage of the long-term multiple-stage treatment is that it gives time for a psychologist to find the most suitable approach to their patient with DID, which may significantly reduce levels of dissociative symptoms. The chronic struggles a person with this disease has may decrease or disappear completely, which can consequently better the control over the alternative identities (Huntjens et al., 2019). Though, sometimes such therapy may be a cause of worsening the state of a patient, increasing amnesia and anxiety. It is associated with the uncareful or too quick development of the treatment, for which a person with multiple personality disorder may not be ready (Huntjens et al., 2019). Therefore, a multi-phase approach to dissociative identity disorder treatment shows significant results if a doctor is qualified and credible to conduct complex therapy with the patient. A correct approach may significantly decrease the dangerous symptoms of a multiple personality disorder and lead a person to live and function as an ordinary individual in society.
A few novel alternative approaches of DID treatment exist that proved to have some effect on patients. Clinical hypnosis is one of the possible choices for therapy, which involves ultimate relaxation to achieve a certain state of consciousness, allowing a physician to discover particular memories or traumatic actions that may be hidden in the brain (Cleveland Clinic, 2016). Such a program may aid explore some of the triggers for the dissociative disorder, based on which the individual therapy can be better adapted
Conclusion
Dissociative identity disorder is a severe mental state, associated with the existence of multiple personalities, caused by severe childhood traumas. The movie Split and its main character Kevin are a prominent depiction of a person’s life with multiple personality disorder and the course of its treatment. Due to the lack of evidence-based research on the possible treatments, however, individual psychodynamic psychotherapy is typically used since it shows the most efficient result, a representation of what the viewers saw in the movie.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Desk Reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-5. American Psychiatric Publishing.
American Psychiatric Association. (2018). What Are dissociative disorders? Psychiatry.Org.
Cleveland Clinic. (2016). Dissociative identity disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder) Management and treatment | Cleveland Clinic. Web.
Huntjens, R. J. C., Rijkeboer, M. M., & Arntz, A. (2019). Schema therapy for dissociative identity disorder (DID): Rationale and study protocol. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10(1), 1571377.
Sar, V., Dorahy, M., & Krüger, C. (2017). Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, vol. 10, 137–146.