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Posted: June 29, 2012

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Using a Mental Illness; to Research or to Create?

Forums > Art Related > Literature

~LilToad Jun 29, 2012

(this is probably in the wrong section, but hey-ho

)

I'm writing this character who has a mental illness similar to Multiple Personality Disorder, or Dissociative identity disorder, but I'm not sure if I should actually state outright that he has MPD or "create" a disorder that is like it, but I can alter the details or "rules".

This is what I kind of would like the details of the disorder to be;
-The affected person has two personalities
-The affected person has no memory of what the other personality has done/ how it behaves
-The person can occasionally "hear" the other persona's voice talking to him
-The disorder can be kept in check with medication

So, is what I've described an actual thing and could I say the character has it, or should I just make up some make-believe disorder?

Thank you muchly for any help you can give

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~Balaria Jul 3, 2012 Hobbyist Writer

While this isn't necessarily directly related to what you're looking for I thought you might find it interesting. [link]

~Lupina24 Jul 2, 2012 Hobbyist Writer

Research; even if you use creative liberties to modify the mental illness it never hurts to know the facts of what you are drawing your inspiration from.

~RainyBaptasto Jul 2, 2012 Student Writer

Mental disorders are different for every person, and they're always changing up what they're called and how they're broken up, so you can be pretty flexible with what kind of symptoms and problems the person has. Still, I would suggest researching A LOT before you write it. You should have a good idea of what caused the problems (genetics, life experiences, or a combination) and exactly what happens to the person when experiencing symptoms of the disorder. You can be imaginative in the sort of problems your character has, but you should try to be accurate in the way these issues occur. While characters in movies and novels often seem completely normal except when experiencing symptoms, all of the mentally unstable people I have met always seem strange, even when they are doing well. In my experience, one can usually tell within a couple minutes of talking to a person, depending on how severe their disorder is (and MPD and DID are pretty severe in most cases). Your character should be complex and flawed, and a mental disorder should not simply be a cause for humor in a story but for genuine distress. If your character is receiving meds, he's probably been diagnosed with something, but you can easily imply that the psychiatrists are confused or have conflicting opinions.

=futilitarian Jul 2, 2012 Writer

People with DiD rarely have only two personalities and they don't generally 'hear' the other personalities in that way, although they can share some of their experiences and memories. I am most concerned by your statement that "the disorder can be kept in check with medication". It can't. While some of the associated mental health conditions can be successfully treated using medication, and it's not unusual for someone with DiD to be on medication for that reason, the only way to treat DiD is through psychotherapy, either aiming to reintegrate the personalities or allow them to coexist more, uh, peacefully. You also need to bear in mind that DiD is usually caused or triggered by childhood trauma or abuse, so may wish to have that in your character's backstory.

Happy to discuss further if you want to note me. I know a fair bit.

~Avenvia Jul 2, 2012 Student Writer

Definitely do the research. It's okay to not outright state which disorder he has (I think that's actually very helpful, since it makes the character individual and any mistakes you make won't offend people who are around the disorder), but people will know what you're basing it off and to just make a disorder up might seem unrealistic to anyone with a basic knowledge.

Look at case studies of the disorder especially. Mental disorders aren't lists of symptoms - they're very unique - and by learning about real people, you'll learn how to make a realistic sufferer that seems true to reality.

=vglory Jul 2, 2012

Keep in mind that DID is so rare it has not been conclusively proven to exist (a lot of mainstream psychiatrists feel that it doesn't). Some consider that it only occurs in fraudulent settings, such as a last gasp attempt to get off death row.

=star-blazer Jul 1, 2012 Professional Writer

I'd say do research, even if you're going to end up creating a mental illness in the end. It never hurts to get information about existing diseases/conditions to help inspire you for your own ideas and to get some things accurate. I think the further you go into research and getting more ideas with your story, you may find very similar conditions out there that you could give your character, or ultimately give him one that you end up shaping from existing ones. No matter what you choose, however, research is important-- just to get a grasp on ideas and to make it realistic!

~LilToad Jul 2, 2012

Thanks for your comment

*sydnerella Jun 30, 2012 Writer

From [link] , second paragraph: "A typical multiple, if such a label is even possible, has one main personality that handles most of daily life. Very often that personality knows nothing about the other personalities, and if they do, it is only indirectly. However, all of the other personalities may know about each other. Alliances, friendships, and rivalries are common amongst those who know each other. Aaron DeGlanville related the case of Kit Castle, who had a younger male personality that fell in love with an older female; he was dismayed when he found out they inhabited the same body."

Maybe that helps in some way? Just some food for thought.

I also agree that you should use a real disorder and not make one up. Unless you are writing fantasy of course.

~LilToad Jul 1, 2012

Thanks alot for your comment

It's really helpful and the "relationships" between the other personalities sound very interesting.

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