Dissociative Identity Disorders in By Sam Mills

psychology basis

Dissociative identity disorder is a mental disorder on the dissociative spectrum characterized by at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities that alternately control a persons behavior.

Accompanied with memory impairment for important information not explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

DID is one of the most controversial psychiatric disorders with no clear consensus regarding its diagnosis or treatment.

Media

Me, Myself & Irene is a 2000 American comedy film directed by the Farrelly brothers, and starring Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger.

Jim Carrey plays Rhode Island State Trooper named Charlie who, after years of continuously suppressing his rage and feelings, suffers a psychotic breakdown which results in a second personality, Hank.

Hank

After years of continuous abuse, Charlie develops a rude and violent split personality named Hank, caused by "advanced delusionary schizophrenia with involuntary narcissistic rage". As Hank, he goes around retaliating against anyone who has accosted him, and even harms those who really haven't. A psychiatrist prescribes a medicine to keep Hank suppressed.

Charlie is ordered to escort a women Irene Water from Rhode Island to Massena, New York.

Along the way Charlie loses his medication, causing his alter ego, Hank, to surface without warning.

Connection

In the movie Charlie is diagnosed with “advanced delusionary schizophrenia with involuntary narcissistic rage".

Charlies actual diagnosis would be Dissociative identity disorder.

DID is one of the most controversial psychiatric disorders with no clear consensus regarding its diagnosis or treatment.

Works cited

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/dissociative-identity-disorder-symptoms/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissociative_identity_disorder