The origin of so-called “shadowy personalities” in patients with dissociative identity disorder - 09/05/19
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Abstract |
Introduction |
In this study, the author presents ideas about what he calls “shadowy personalities” (SPs), that is, destructive and aggressive, often masterminding, parts of personality among patients with dissociative identity disorder (DID).
Objective |
This study demonstrates how these SPs manifest themselves, how they can be dealt with in various clinical settings, and how this notion adds to the understanding and treatment of DID.
Method |
The author seeks to conceptualize several types of SPs, which manifest themselves differently in various clinical settings. The review of literature demonstrates how this notion could be related to, and different from, notions such as “persecutory parts of the personality” and “controlling emotional part (EP of the personality)” proposed by past authors. Then, case material is presented, and the implications of some psychotherapeutic approaches are further discussed.
Results |
SPs have been demonstrated to have the following features: anger/aggressiveness, difficulty in identification, temporary appearance in critical situations, and an almost physically felt presence. The author demonstrates some prototypical SPs, such as SPs with aggressors’ voices, depressive and self-destructive SPs, SPs asserting themselves on behalf of the host personality, and competitive SPs. A hypothesis of the way SPs are formed is presented, primarily based on Ferenczi's theory of identification with the aggressor (IWA). Three types of situations leading to IWA are proposed: 1. A child identifies with the aggressive aspect of the aggressor (i.e., “becoming” an aggressor); 2. A child identifies with the internal image of him/herself in the aggressor's mind (i.e., aggression is directed inward); and 3. A child identifies with a bystander (both in reality and fantasy) and aggression is used in support of him/herself.
Conclusion |
The notion of SPs describes not only their nature but also the way they are perceived by other parts of personality. It was found that SPs are formed through different types of IWA, but their clinical manifestation can be a mixture of features reflecting all of them. The notion of SPs is experience-near for patients and can be used as a communication resource for the therapeutic pair to better understand one another and focus on the therapeutic orientation and goals.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Dissociative identity disorder, Shadowy personality, S. Ferenczi
Plan
Vol 3 - N° 2
P. 95-102 - mai 2019 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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