Dissociative Identity Disorder patient reveals the unexpected ways films and TV get the condition wrong

A person living with Dissociative Identity Disorder has shared some of the misconceptions around the condition.

Despite much progress around the public perception of mental health, most attention has been directed at conditions such as depression and anxiety.

It's understandable, in a sense, as these are the most common conditions, and are, of course, very serious.

But focussing on just the most common problems also pulls focus from some of the more complex mental health conditions, and allowed damaging misconceptions around them to continue.

Conditions like personality disorders such as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, previously called Borderline Personality Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder still have a lot of stigma attached to them.

Among them is Dissociative Identity Disorder, previously called Multiple Personality Disorder.

The poster clarified some of the misconceptions around the condition. (Jena Ardell / Getty)

One person who was diagnosed with the condition has shared some of the ways in which this condition is misrepresented.

There was one film in particular which they expressed their concern about.

This is the movie Split starring James McAvoy, which plays into the idea of someone being dangerous due to their struggle with their mental health.

The condition is one of a few which fall under the category of a 'dissociative' disorder.

Others include depersonalisation-derealisation disorder, where someone feels as though they are outside their own body observing their actions.

There is also dissociative amnesia, which is where someone has no memory of certain periods of their life.

Dissociative Identity Disorder is distinct for someone having several distinct identities, sometimes having their own names and personalities.

The poster shared some misconceptions and information about the condition on Reddit.

The condition can be extremely difficult for people living with it. (MementoJpeg / Getty)

For example, referring to the body as a 'core' where all the different alters exist together, with alters being the different personalities.

What is also important is that they explain that each alter is their own individual person, and that some can become more dominant.

These can front, in other words, be the one presenting outwards more often, and if there's one which someone feels is the 'main' identity that can be a called a 'host'.

The social media post also explained that it's not just the case that someone can switch externally, different alters can also be speaking to each other internally the whole time.

However, the central point is that as with all mental health conditions people with DID are living with a serious long-term illness, and people who have a mental health problem are far more likely to be a danger to themselves than others.

As they put it on the post: "No, we aren't like the guy from Split. We aren't dangerous. We don't switch and go to town k*lling and harming people. Do not associate us with that stigma."

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