The popularization of DID, helped in part by Sybil (a popular 1970s book and later film about a woman with 16 different personalities), may have prompted clinicians to overdiagnose the disorder (Piper & Merskey, 2004).

Popularization of DID Through Sybil May Have Led to Overdiagnosis

More cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) were identified in the five years prior to 1986 than in the preceding two centuries (Putnam, Guroff, Silberman, Barban, & Post, 1986). This sharp increase may be due to the development of more sophisticated diagnostic techniques, or it may reflect overdiagnosis of the disorder.

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Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a controversial diagnosis, with skepticism arising from the belief that patients may feign symptoms to gain advantages, such as evading responsibility for their actions. This debate intensified after a significant rise in diagnoses followed the disorder's depiction in popular media. Despite these concerns about its validity and the potential for faking, DID is recognized as a legitimate condition that causes genuine, lifelong suffering for many individuals.

Evidence and Controversies Surrounding Dissociative Identity Disorder

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Sharp Rise in DID Diagnoses in the 1980s

The False Memory Foundation was founded by family members who had been accused of childhood abuse. The organization has cast doubt on the validity of the Dissociative Identity Disorder diagnosis (Pope, 1996).

False Memory Foundation

For some people with Dissociative Identity Disorder who report a history of childhood trauma, a number of cases have been corroborated through medical or legal records (Cardeña & Gleaves, 2006).

Corroboration of DID Cases via Medical and Legal Records

Research using brain scans has revealed significant differences between fMRIs of people diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and control subjects who were told to fake DID during the scan, further corroborating that DID is a legitimate condition (Reinders et al., 2019).

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