Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) - Written by Pastor Bob Larson
WHAT IS MPD: MPD (also known as DID or Dissociative Identity Disorder as defined by the American Psychiatric Association) is a mental condition in which the personality becomes fragmented ("dissociated") into two or more distinct identities, each of which may become dominant and control behavior from time to time to the exclusion of the others. These identities are called "alter personalities" (often Simply "alters") and each maintains its own. Integrity of characteristics and habits. Each has its own age, name, sex, intelligence, and personal tastes.
People suffering from MPD usually endured devastating traumas in childhood, such as incest, abuse, and ritual torture. Their minds were shattered by feelings of guilt, shame and terror. These emotions, along with the need to survive in the presence of dangerous circumstances, caused them to subconsciously divide their minds into alters to keep their condition hidden and to protect themselves from further harm. Certain information, memories, and feelings were encapsulated in specific personalities.
MPD allows abused individuals to deal with the past by containing hurtful memories in various personalities. These alters cope like the pieces of a pie. Each piece has a limited amount of coping power. When that limit is reached, the switch to another alter occurs. Through effective integration therapy, the disparate pieces can be put back together to allow the person to reclaim a normal life.
HOW MPD OCCURS: According to Dr. James Friesen, author of the book, Uncovering the mystery of MPD, about 97% of multiples suffered some type of serious abuse at a young age. Victims of such mistreatment create altered personality states to absorb the emotional anguish and physical pain.
Dr. Walter Young, clinical director of the National Center of Treatment of Dissociative Disorders, explains that children can't run away from abuse. They have nowhere to hide but inside their heads. According to Young, "As the victim grows up, the separate personality becomes more autonomous and available for everyday use..." A breakdown of this coping mechanism can produce severe mental confusion and intrusive thoughts or voices.
Most victims of MPD are bright and artistic. Many are incredibly gifted. It is the high level of intelligence that allowed them to dissociate to protect themselves and function during the abuse. Most suffer feelings of fear, confusion, alienation, and rejection. Many harbor an inability to trust and some feel intense self-hatred.
MPD AND SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE (SRA): Many victims of MPD emerge from families that were involved in some form of the occult. Perhaps the most traumatized of MPDs are victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA). These multiples have been subjected to ritual torture, sodomy, and mutilation. Satanic cult programmers may purposely create alters in these subjects through the use of triggers, words, or symbols which evoke a previously implanted response. For example, SRA survivor may be programmed so that every time he sees a certain color a self-mutilating alter will come out and cut the body. Some victims are subjected to mock communion, are told they will die on a certain dates, or they may be systematically tortured or mutilated. Often, certain alter personalities of those victimized by satanic ritual abuse are programmed to continue attending ceremonies loyalty to the cult.
HOW MPD IS TREATED: Multiple personality disorder usually begins in childhood. As the victim grows older, the separate personalities become even more autonomous, and each has its own special way of functioning in the everyday world. The various alters of a multiple system cope internally like pieces of a pie. Each piece has a limited amount of coping power. When that limit is reached, the switch to a different alter may occur. In this way, many alters that are part of the system absorb the emotional anguish and physical pain of the trauma.
From time to time one particular alter identity may be "out." When this happens, the host body and core personality of the victim's original identity may lose track of time. Satanic cult programmers sometimes purposely create alters in victims through the use of trauma - both physical and emotional. Some victims are subjected to advanced programming and are told they will die on a certain date. In satanic cults certain alter personalities are brainwashed to continue attending ceremonies to assure loyalty to the cult.
HOW HEALING OF MPD OCCURS: MPD disrupts the victim's comprehensive identity and total memory system. These traumatized multiples lose contact with the person God meant them to be. To heal, they must focus on wholeness and truth. The Christian community is the perfect haven for MPD victims to be unconditionally loved and accepted. In Psalm 17:8-9, God encourages MPD victims to seek protection: "Hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me."
Although some secular clinicians, and even members of the Christian community doubt the existence of MPD, professionals say diagnoses are on the rise. Regardless of what critics say, the emergence of MPD is becoming so great that it can't be ignored. It is the responsibility of every concerned Christian to minister to those in emotional bondage and let them know that the Lord Heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3).