Over the last two decades, the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder has evoked polarized ... more Over the last two decades, the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder has evoked polarized contention in both research and clinical arenas. The level of emotion elicited in the proponents and sceptics of the diagnosis appears to transcend the content of the debate. When a concern commands such potent reactions, perhaps there are underlying agendas which warrant further investigation. The present work seeks to review historical evidence, the evolving nosological criteria, an alternative dissociation construct, the etiological and epidemiological controversy, the forensic psychiatric ramifications, and the supernatural element. In the process, the writer wishes a) to demonstrate the quality and quantity of scientific investigation completed, to date, in validation of the diagnosis; b) to stress the need for a paradigm shift in the official North American nosological schema; c) and to promote future dissociation screening studies in the prison population.
Over the last two decades, the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder has evoked polarized ... more Over the last two decades, the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder has evoked polarized contention in both research and clinical arenas. The level of emotion elicited in the proponents and sceptics of the diagnosis appears to transcend the content of the debate. When a concern commands such potent reactions, perhaps there are underlying agendas which warrant further investigation. The present work seeks to review historical evidence, the evolving nosological criteria, an alternative dissociation construct, the etiological and epidemiological controversy, the forensic psychiatric ramifications, and the supernatural element. In the process, the writer wishes a) to demonstrate the quality and quantity of scientific investigation completed, to date, in validation of the diagnosis; b) to stress the need for a paradigm shift in the official North American nosological schema; c) and to promote future dissociation screening studies in the prison population.
Uploads
in both research and clinical arenas. The level of emotion elicited in the proponents and sceptics of the
diagnosis appears to transcend the content of the debate. When a concern commands such potent
reactions, perhaps there are underlying agendas which warrant further investigation. The present work
seeks to review historical evidence, the evolving nosological criteria, an alternative dissociation
construct, the etiological and epidemiological controversy, the forensic psychiatric ramifications, and the
supernatural element. In the process, the writer wishes a) to demonstrate the quality and quantity of
scientific investigation completed, to date, in validation of the diagnosis; b) to stress the need for a
paradigm shift in the official North American nosological schema; c) and to promote future dissociation
screening studies in the prison population.
in both research and clinical arenas. The level of emotion elicited in the proponents and sceptics of the
diagnosis appears to transcend the content of the debate. When a concern commands such potent
reactions, perhaps there are underlying agendas which warrant further investigation. The present work
seeks to review historical evidence, the evolving nosological criteria, an alternative dissociation
construct, the etiological and epidemiological controversy, the forensic psychiatric ramifications, and the
supernatural element. In the process, the writer wishes a) to demonstrate the quality and quantity of
scientific investigation completed, to date, in validation of the diagnosis; b) to stress the need for a
paradigm shift in the official North American nosological schema; c) and to promote future dissociation
screening studies in the prison population.