It has been mired with the macabre, has provided fodder for horror movies and comedy shows and has been dubiously associated with satanic forces for a long time!

But experts believe that Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) — or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)– as it is referred today  — is a classic psychological condition.

A person is known to suffer from MPD when 2 or more ‘alter’ personalities coexists within him. To add to the existing enigma, each of these alters may boast of a separate name, age, history or identity –like many individuals living in one. These ‘alters’ emerge during certain situations and tend to take control of the original self.

MPD specialists believe that MPD is a valid, common diagnosis that can be clubbed along with schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, as one of the four major mental health problems. It is reported to be induced by early psychological trauma involving extreme form of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse.

Although the subjects are more often women MPD is reported to be common among men too . But it has not been brought to the forefront in the latter as men hesitate to seek treatment. Most men with MPD land in mental asylums, as a result of mis- diagnosis, or in jail.

In his recently released book, “Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder,” Football great Herschel Walker chronicles his life with MPD and recalls the number of “alters” that plagued his life, and of a particularly harrowing ‘alter’ which led him to attempt suicide.

Treatment for MPD involves unifying the multiple alters into a single personality. This enables the patients to regain full control over their lives.

Dr. Reeja Tharu