Multiple Personality Disorder: A Psychoanalytic Perspective

Abstract

This article links multiple personality disorder (MPD) and dissociation to related theories of defense, resistance, and development in treatment. Trauma, conflict, and deficiency all play contributing roles in the genesis of MPD; the blend of each ingredient may be decisive in each patient. Internal conflict and deficiency tend to be overlooked, whereas trauma is emphasized. Other psychoanalytic concepts, such as transitional phenomena, identity, aggression, repetition, and the seeking after quiescence, are applied to MPD. In the discussion of working through, emphasis is placed on the process nature of MPD and on strategic integration.