Do patients who have Dissociative Identity Disorder or Multiple Personality Disorder have a dominant personality?

Answer 1

Most dominant personalities are the ones that deal with external life issues. They MUST be strong so that life can do on as normally as possible. Myth - That core / host personalities are the weakest link to any system Myth - That child alters are mere reflections of memory rather than having a life outside the abuse loop. Myth - That MPD / DID is a "mental" disorder. It is rather a coping skill. Myth - That those with multiple personalities are "disabled" and cannot function in life. Myth - That dominant personalities are the ones that seek out help the most. Myth - Dominance has to do with "birthright", meaning that the core is suppose to be the one encouraged to dominate the systems inside. This almost is never effective. Host personalities or core personalities are usually the ones who do most of the disassociating and have most of the memory loss. It is impossible for the core to be "in control" of the rest of the internal system. - The above refers to multiple groups who have been classified, often incorrectly, as having DID. For the multiple groups who do not have a disorder and would never meet the diagnostic criteria, being self-aware, and often sharing memories, there is a slightly different answer. 'Sometimes'. In the same way there are 'type A' and 'type B' personalities, in any multiple group there are extroverts and introverts, and those who like to boss others around, and those who are naturally better at leading, and also those who are naturally more selfish. (Generalization, multiple groups vary quite extremely) Groups vary on how they 'divy up time'. Some give it out equally, some it is a free for all, others make up very finely detailed rules. In some groups switching without permission is allowed, in some it is not. Myth - That having multiple people sharing one body must be a disorder, or a coping skill. Multiplicity is quite often naturally occuring, and having many people sharing one body is in no way a detriment to life unless individuals let communication issues or other problems get in the way - just like family. Myth - That having different people in one body means the 'first' one needs help or must have suffered trauma This is probably the largest myth multiples face, that their very existence means something went 'wrong' in the first person's life, and that they are merely the fragments caused by inability to process trauma in order to help cope Back on topic: The dominant personality, if there is one, in a multiple group is the person with the most 'dominant personality' - jsut like the 'dominant personality' in a room full of people is the person with the most dominant personality. This does not mean that persons always gets to make all the rules or be out front all the time, although often the most type A of the group will end up in front a lot, and the shyest will stay in back. The person with the most dominant personality may not be the 'strongest' or the 'smartest' either. Who is 'most dominant' can change, especially according to situation. A person who is usually forceful and likes to be out and about, but hates 'boring things' might not want to front during a museum tour. Or, if everyone has 'assignments' - such as who talks, who writes, who sings, etc, the force of individual personalities may not come into play as much.