After weeding through formal education, lessons learned at home, and peer relations, Americans receive a large amount of their knowledge from mass media. Some of the information that is obtained can be detrimental to an individual’s understanding because it is not always the whole truth. Rather, it can be distorted to make fit what society thinks people are attracted to, and thus sells. When delving deeper into this idea, and applying it to the field of psychology, mental illness as a whole is not always portrayed in a positive light. It tends to be overdramatized, which can cause people to inheritably view anyone with a diagnosed mental illness as “crazy”.
This idea can be viewed in the recent movie “My Soul to Take” (Craven, 2010). The movie is centered around the “Riverton Ripper”, who kills people with a pocketknife that has the word “vengeance” etched on the blade. As news channels are broadcasting that the Riverton Ripper has struck for the seventh time, Abel Plankov (one of the movie’s main characters), discovers the knife underneath his basement stairs after tripping. As his wife goes to sleep, Abel calls his psychologist, which it is then revealed that he has Dissociative Identity Disorder. He discloses to his psychologist that he has no recollection of killing any of the seven kids, feels as though he is losing it again, has not told his family about his disorder, and needs help. As Abel goes to check on his wife, he becomes aware that he has stabbed her. Prior to the police arriving at his home, Abel tries to commit suicide by stabbing himself. Before he assumedly dies, Abel says that he will be back. Paramedics and police that were both on the scene and taking his body to the hospital, discuss what Abel meant by his final words. The one paramedic theorizes that alternative personalities (alters) are like souls, and that they live on. As this is said, Abel slits the paramedics throat with a knife he had stashed, and escapes. The remainder of the movie takes place 16 years later, with the “Riverton Seven”, who were born on that horrific night. Each anniversary, they perform a special ritual to keep the Ripper away. This year their attempts are unsuccessful, and the Riverton Ripper is back with a vengeance to kill the seven kids.
After watching this movie, the average American might assume that persons who have Disassociate Identity Disorder (DID), commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, consistently have alters that are demonic and murderous. While an individual’s alters can be hostile, there are more features and criteria that are incorporated into the disorder. As displayed in the DSM-IV-TR, the essential features of DID are: Criteria A.) the presence of two or more distinctive personality states, Criteria B.) it consistently takes control of behavior, Criteria C.) There is an inability to remember personal information, which cannot be attributed to ordinary forgetfulness, and Criteria D.) The disturbance is not in relation to psychological effects from substance abuse or a general medical condition. (American Psychiatric Association [DSM-IV-TR], 2000)
The DSM-IV-TR, also explains a person who has Dissociative Identity Disorder, fails to combine a mixture of aspects of identity, memory, and consciousness. In addition, each alter also has his own discrete personal history, which includes its separate name, characteristics, and self-image. Certain alters can take control and emerge in specific situations to fulfill a purpose. Likewise, the alternate identities often times deny the existence of other identities, which in some cases can cause an open conflict. An alter can take control and gain access to an individual’s consciousness by producing auditory or visual hallucinations (eg. facial expressions/vocal instructions). Evidence of amnesia is discovered when there is a witness to recount a behavior that is not typical of the individual with the disorder. The transition from identity to identity is generated by psychological stress, and can happen in a matter of seconds, or gradually.
The root of DID in individuals may be caused by severe physical and sexual abuse experienced during childhood (DMS-IV-TR, 2000). The disorder can also affect people from an array of cultures and backgrounds. In addition, according to the DSM-IV-TR, DID is diagnosed three to nine times more frequently in adult females, than adult males. Data is limited for preadolescent children because it is hard to make distinctions between the appearance of alters. The disorder particularly emerges during episodes of trauma or with Substance Abuse. Likewise, it is also more common amongst first-degree biological relatives of persons who have DID. (American Psychiatric Association [DSM-IV-TR], 2000)
However, even with all the information given, the diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder is a controversial topic. This is because many researchers and mental health professionals question the accuracy of childhood memories, as they can be easily distorted in those who are highly vulnerable (DSM-IV-TR 2000). Those who have DID may be prone to not disclose their past history is abuse or skew the behavior because they are embarrassed. Also, as awareness of the disorder becomes more widespread, mental health professionals may be more prone to diagnose an individual with DID, who previously did not have it. This can lead to a misdiagnosis, also given that symptoms of the disorder over lap the symptoms of other disorders, such as Bi Polar Disorder and Schizophrenia. (American Psychiatric Association [DSM-IV-TR], 2000)
While it may seem that there may be some parallels between the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder and the portrayal in the movie, the media in general tend to do a disservice to psychological illnesses. They fail at allowing those who have disorders, to be able to integrate themselves into society “normally.” Despite the fact that they spread awareness of psychological illnesses, they tend to neglect to demonstrate that many Americans have diagnosable disorders, and that it is prevalent throughout society. (I am unsure if increased awareness directly affects the rise in diagnosis, but it still happens.) In addition, that there is no “quick fix” for a disorder, rather it is a process that takes time and modifications to one’s life. As a result of psychological illnesses being portrayed in a negative light in the media, all mental illnesses are thus viewed with a negative connotation. People are then quick to judge, and categorize people with knowing little about their disorder. I also believe that diagnosing in general is a way to label, and outcast people as social “others.” With that being said, people are entitled to their opinions, as long as they are informed about the subject. Overall, the media are not always a bad outlet for information, as they at least open people’s eyes to reality that yes, there are people in the world who are different from who they are.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders. (Revised 4th ed.) Washington, DC.
Katagas, Anthony (Producer), Craven, Wes (Director). (October 8, 2010).
The United States: Universal Studios.
Further Reading
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