Psi Chi/ PSA Wednesday March 4, 2009

Future Meeting Dates/Topics  March 25, 2009 ~ Brooke Ingersol (Autism Medication)  April 8, 2009~ Executive Board elections  April 22, 2009~ Year evaluations & Fun!!!!

Tonight’s Topic: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)  Formerly known as “Multiple Personality Disorder”  Portrayed in films such as “The Three Faces of Eve” (1957), “Sybil” (1976) & (2007 remake).  Often confused with Schizophrenia in the popular media (television, movies, etc).  Controversial Diagnosis– Some Psychologists debate the existence of DID.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)  Formal Definition a condition in which a single person displays multiple distinct identities or personalities (known as alter egos or “alters”), each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)  As many as 100 different personalities within one person with DID (Average number is 15 for women & 8 for men).  “Alters” may: Be of the opposite gender Have different eyeglass prescriptions Write with the opposite hand Seem to physically LOOK different (different facial expressions, posture, etc) Have different voices/ accents Be of varying ages (one alter may be a 5 year old child and another may be 25 years old)  The “host”, or original personality is usually unaware of the alters.  Experience memory lapses—have no memory of saying or doing certain things when an alter was out (or “in control”)

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)  Most common in women (9 times more likely than men to develop DID)  Usually sparked by traumatic experiences in childhood.  The “host” develops “alters” as a way to protect themselves (from remembering the traumatic event—the alter personalities remember the event so the host does not have to).

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)  Treatment of DID usually involves years of intense psychotherapy.  Involves facing past trauma in order to overcome the disorder.  Goal is to integrate the various personalities to make a whole, functional personality.  Rare disorder—only includes 0.5-1% of the population.

“Sybil” (2007) Clips  m1_Z6-v4uT0&feature=related m1_Z6-v4uT0&feature=related  1vANyDFgjZU&NR=1 1vANyDFgjZU&NR=1

Discussion Question:  Do you agree/disagree with those who contend the DID is not a diagnosable disorder &/or that therapists are primarily responsible for the manifestations of “alters” (additional personalities) in those diagnosed with DID?

Me, Myself & Irene (2000) & Fight Club (1999) Clips  Me, Myself & Irene (Trailer) (2000) Ux1TvVtM Ux1TvVtM  Fight Club (1999) mfe6XRXw&feature=related mfe6XRXw&feature=related WmOKVpCuU&NR=1 WmOKVpCuU&NR=1

Discussion Question:  Do you think these film clips offer an accurate representation DID?  Why or why not?

Real People with DID (Clips)  Tony JfIH20TY&feature=related JfIH20TY&feature=related  Herschel Walker (NFL Player) F-CkTaFU&feature=related F-CkTaFU&feature=related daTvM3s0&NR=1 daTvM3s0&NR=1

Discussion Questions:  How do these real life examples of people living with a DID diagnosis compare to the movie clips (Sybil, Fight Club, Me Myself & Irene) depicting the disorder?  What effect might inaccurate representations of DID have on people living with a DID diagnosis?

Psi Chi/ PSA Positions!!!! Elections are coming up, so think about which of these positions you might be interested in running for….

PSA President Duties:  Attend Psi Chi Meetings  Attend volunteer and fundraising activities  Assist with planning of meetings and fundraising events  Promote knowledge of Psi Chi and PSA through speaking at classes and informing individuals  Run meetings in the absence of Psi Chi President and Vice President