The Characterological Basis of Multiple Personality

The author reviews the importance of characterological factors in ‘multiple personality’ or dissociative identity disorder (DID) and cites contemporary research comparing it to the narcissistic and borderline personality disorders. He then describes two overlapping theories of it being a distinct characterological entity in which dissociation is the predominant defense. This concept seems to have considerable explanatory value, and his own model is reviewed in detail. It views DID at the severe end of a continuum of dissociative character pathology. The dual nature of dissociation, and the influences of both dreamlike mental processes and perverse sexuality on the formation of alter personalities are discussed too.