Can People Have 23 Different Personalities Like in the Movie Split?

The movie Split, featuring a character with multiple identities, has brought significant attention to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). However, the portrayal in the film is a highly exaggerated and inaccurate representation of the condition. Let's delve deeper into Dissociative Identity Disorder to understand the complexities and realities behind the disorder.

Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

DID, also known as multiple personality disorder, is a rare, complex psychological condition primarily resulting from severe trauma during early childhood. This trauma can include repeated physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. The essence of DID lies in the development of multiple distinct identities or personality states, each with its own behaviors, memories, and ways of perceiving the world.

Reality vs. Media

In reality, cases of individuals with DID and many distinct identities are rare and often varied in number. The portrayal in media, such as the movie Split, often exaggerates or misrepresents the condition. It is not uncommon to hear about individuals with a dozen or so distinct identities, but having as many as 23 is rare. Furthermore, the condition is still a subject of ongoing research and debate in the psychological community regarding its diagnosis and treatment.

Complexities and Variability

Regarding the number of personalities, it varies greatly from person to person. Dr. Frank Putnam, a well-known expert on DID, noted that the average number of distinct identities reported in clinical cases is 15-25 for women and a slightly lower average for men. These numbers, however, are averages, and individuals with more than 100 distinct identities exist but are extremely rare.

When individuals have a large number of identities, most are often fragments or smaller, less differentiated parts. Not all of these parts are active at once, and people with multiple identities can still function extremely well in daily life. The severity and prevalence of personality fragmentation often correlate with the severity and duration of the traumatic experiences. Individuals who have experienced repeated and elaborate forms of trauma, such as ritual abuse, are more likely to have extensive and fragmented personalities.

Personal Insights and Experiences

To provide a personal perspective, we spoke with an experienced individual who has interacted with over 100 identities of their spouse, who developed alternate personalities as a coping mechanism due to extensive childhood abuse and neglect. This learned behavior manifested in dissociation, where new identities took over to protect the individual from further trauma.

It's important to note that not all individuals with DID have such a high number of personalities. The average number of parts for a woman is 15-25, and it is less for men. Additionally, as treatment progress, many of these fragmented identities can integrate into a more cohesive personality, reducing the number significantly.

Treatment and Integration

The treatment for DID typically involves psychotherapy aimed at integrating the different identities into a single, healthier identity. Treatment duration varies but is often lengthy, especially for individuals with poly-fragmentation (having over 100 parts). The goal is not only to address the psychological trauma but also to help the individual build a more cohesive and adaptive personality structure.

If you are interested in learning more about Dissociative Identity Disorder or its representation in media, there are numerous resources available. Consider reading Discussing Dissociation: Thoughts from a DID Systems Specialist for real insights into the condition. Additionally, reaching out to mental health professionals can provide invaluable information and support for understanding and addressing the complexities of DID.