Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex and often misunderstood psychiatric condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states, memory disruptions, and episodes of dissociation. This review presents an overview of DID, focusing on its definition, symptoms, eti...

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Main Authors: Monika Fidyk, Michał Bolek, Bartosz Jagieła, Aleksandra Kędzia, Dominika Musialska, Magda Minkiewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-05-01
Series:Quality in Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60277
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author Monika Fidyk
Michał Bolek
Bartosz Jagieła
Aleksandra Kędzia
Dominika Musialska
Magda Minkiewicz
author_facet Monika Fidyk
Michał Bolek
Bartosz Jagieła
Aleksandra Kędzia
Dominika Musialska
Magda Minkiewicz
author_sort Monika Fidyk
collection DOAJ
description Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex and often misunderstood psychiatric condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states, memory disruptions, and episodes of dissociation. This review presents an overview of DID, focusing on its definition, symptoms, etiology, neurobiological underpinnings, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing controversies. Current research highlights early childhood trauma as a key etiological factor, with emerging neuroimaging studies supporting the disorder’s distinct biological profile. Despite its prevalence, DID remains underdiagnosed and frequently misidentified as other psychiatric conditions, particularly borderline personality disorder or schizophrenia. The review also explores sociocultural influences, including the impact of social media on public awareness and self-diagnosis. Diagnostic challenges persist, though structured clinical interviews such as SCID-D-R offer reliable tools. Treatment is primarily based on long-term, phase-oriented psychotherapy, supported by adjunctive pharmacological strategies targeting comorbid symptoms. While debates surrounding the validity and origin of DID continue—particularly regarding the trauma model—empirical findings increasingly affirm the disorder’s legitimacy. Simulation of DID remains a concern, especially in forensic contexts, yet validated psychological and physiological assessments can aid in differential diagnosis. This review underscores the importance of continued research and clinical awareness to improve diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and public understanding of DID.
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issn 2450-3118
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
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series Quality in Sport
spelling doaj-art-4a6ef1a235f4469da949529100b80e272025-08-20T02:59:07ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-05-014110.12775/QS.2025.41.60277Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and TreatmentMonika Fidyk0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8664-8132Michał Bolek1https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7991-3212Bartosz Jagieła2https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5592-1511Aleksandra Kędzia3https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4130-2983Dominika Musialska4https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5886-5543Magda Minkiewicz5https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7492-80334th Military Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw4th Military Clinical Hospital in WroclawUniversity Clinical Hospital of Jan Mikulicz-Radecki in WroclawLower-Silesian Center of Oncology Pulmonary and Hematology in Wroclaw4th Military Clinical Hospital in WroclawUniversity Clinical Hospital of Jan Mikulicz-Radecki in Wroclaw Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex and often misunderstood psychiatric condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states, memory disruptions, and episodes of dissociation. This review presents an overview of DID, focusing on its definition, symptoms, etiology, neurobiological underpinnings, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing controversies. Current research highlights early childhood trauma as a key etiological factor, with emerging neuroimaging studies supporting the disorder’s distinct biological profile. Despite its prevalence, DID remains underdiagnosed and frequently misidentified as other psychiatric conditions, particularly borderline personality disorder or schizophrenia. The review also explores sociocultural influences, including the impact of social media on public awareness and self-diagnosis. Diagnostic challenges persist, though structured clinical interviews such as SCID-D-R offer reliable tools. Treatment is primarily based on long-term, phase-oriented psychotherapy, supported by adjunctive pharmacological strategies targeting comorbid symptoms. While debates surrounding the validity and origin of DID continue—particularly regarding the trauma model—empirical findings increasingly affirm the disorder’s legitimacy. Simulation of DID remains a concern, especially in forensic contexts, yet validated psychological and physiological assessments can aid in differential diagnosis. This review underscores the importance of continued research and clinical awareness to improve diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and public understanding of DID. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60277Dissociative Identity DisorderDissociationDissociative DisordersChildhood TraumaPhase-Oriented Psychotherapy
spellingShingle Monika Fidyk
Michał Bolek
Bartosz Jagieła
Aleksandra Kędzia
Dominika Musialska
Magda Minkiewicz
Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment
Quality in Sport
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociation
Dissociative Disorders
Childhood Trauma
Phase-Oriented Psychotherapy
title Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment
title_full Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment
title_fullStr Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment
title_full_unstemmed Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment
title_short Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment
title_sort dissociative identity disorder a comprehensive review of etiology diagnosis neurobiology and treatment
topic Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociation
Dissociative Disorders
Childhood Trauma
Phase-Oriented Psychotherapy
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60277
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AT bartoszjagieła dissociativeidentitydisorderacomprehensivereviewofetiologydiagnosisneurobiologyandtreatment
AT aleksandrakedzia dissociativeidentitydisorderacomprehensivereviewofetiologydiagnosisneurobiologyandtreatment
AT dominikamusialska dissociativeidentitydisorderacomprehensivereviewofetiologydiagnosisneurobiologyandtreatment
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