Dissociative identity disorder involves having at least two separate personalities that are distinct from one another. It used to be called multiple personality disorder. There can be gaps in memory, the hearing of voices, and lack of control of one s actions. While the disorder can be controversial, it does exist and is highly distressing to the individual having it. It is linked to high levels of intelligence and to recurrent childhood trauma.
MOOD DISORDERS Mood disorders are disturbances in emotions and include depression and bipolar disorder. Most people have some type of inciting event but also have the preexisting disposition toward the disorders. The two main categories include depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. People with major depressive disorder have psychological symptoms of depressed mood, hopelessness, emptiness, and sadness, along with a lack of enjoyment in life and physical symptoms. There can many possible symptoms, of which five must be seen for a minimum of two weeks. Physical symptoms include sleep disturbances, weight changes, fatigue, agitation, concentration difficulties, and suicidal ideation. The symptoms are episodic but recurrent over one s lifetime. The disorder is seen in 17 percent of people in their lifetime. It is more common in women and more common in certain parts of the world. Other risk factors include being unemployed, low socio economic status, having poor social contacts and living in an urban environment. Comorbid diseases include substance abuse and anxiety. Depressive disorders come in several types. These are considered subtypes of major depression. Those with a seasonal pattern have depression mostly in the wintertime when light levels are low. Those with peripartum depression have what s called postpartum depression, with themes related to their baby and the birth of their baby. Persistent depressive disorder is also called dysthymia. It involves about six months or more of depressive symptoms that tend not to be as severe as major depression. Bipolar disorder is a different disorder from major depression. It must include at least one episode of mania, which is a period of persistent elevated or irritable mood, lasting at least one week in duration. Patients with mania get less sleep, talk more, and have 215
