title: Multiple personality disorder.
abstract: Five aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of multiple personality disorder (MPD) were examined. The following five conclusions were made: the contemporary diagnostic criteria are vague and overinclusive; the recent alleged increase in prevalence of the disorder is almost certainly artefactual; legal proceedings involving MPD patients raise disturbing questions about personal responsibility; there is little literature support for the theory that MPD results from childhood trauma; and many of the techniques used to diagnose and treat the condition reinforce its symptoms. A careful revision of diagnostic criteria for the disorder is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Providence Hospital, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012043:Regression, Psychology; D012941:Social Responsibility