Is Multiplicity a disorder?

On this page we shall look at the question of whether multiplicity is really something which should be considered to be a disorder. We mention on our 'Why does it happen?' page that many of the people who work in the area of mental health have a tendency to classify multiplicity as a mental disorder which they now call Dissociative Identity Disorder or DID. The name previously used in relation to multiples was Multiple Personality Disorder or MPD.

Regardless of the title, the word "Disorder" has been retained and implies that there is something fundamentally wrong with us. If life really did evolve from out of the conditions that have been depicted by science, then life has to be by definition a disordered state. We believe that to suggest that all multiples are disordered is not helpful and has the potential to do more harm than good.

For many multiples, being so is entirely natural to us and has no obvious "cause". We think that someone who is naturally multiple could actually be really messed up if they were to be put through the process of psychotherapy. In our opinions, a far better way for them to proceed would be to work things out for themselves and try to establish an appropriate level of co-operation / communication that works for them. Writing in a journal is an excellent starting point for this process.

Are we a natural multiple? We did experience a number of things which were traumatic when we were growing up? Well yes, but whether they were enough in themselves to actually cause our personality to split is an answer which continues to be elusive without intense psychotherapy, which is something that we do not want. We spent time in psychiatric care in the past at a tender age and have no desire to repeat that experience.

Whatever the causes (Do we really need to know? Do we really want to know? What difference would it make?) of our multiplicity- We are what We are. No less, no more. Life can be challenging at times but We are lucky that We cope well for the majority of the time. We don't cope all of the time, but who does? It would be unfair to say that we are disordered just because We don't do well every day. Disorganised, occasionally chaotic, but not particularly disordered.

We have fair relationship with our family and have a number of friends. That is an area of life that for us is not disordered. We have a loving and supportive partner of over twenty-five years- no sign of chaos in our relationships! To be honest, We have a lot more going for us than many people can ever hope for. We are not rich financially but our life is pretty full. For us the experience of being multiple is not one of disorder. It is a life of caring for an inner family which is every bit as rich, varied and loving as any regular one..

March 2023