Learning from extremism in the history of mental health. The example of multiple personality disorder.
This article reviews some of the history of the cultural forces that shaped the diagnosis of multiple personality disorder/dissociative identity disorder and the subsequent abuses that occurred at the time of its popularization. Some of the implications that can be drawn from these kinds of historical excesses in the field of mental health will be discussed. The article concludes by underscoring the ethical obligation inherent in maintaining healthy professional skepticism toward ideas driven by ideology and fad, rather than scientific empiricism.
Mohr
Wanda K
WK
Rutgers University, College of Nursing, Newark, New Jersey, USA. mohr@nightingale.rutgers.edu
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000266:history*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales