Fight Club Dissociative Identity Disorder
Analysis Of Dissociative Identity Disorder For Fight Club
Introduction
Most people experience instances of light dissociation, such as daydreaming or getting “lost in the moment” while doing their work. When dissociation becomes a severe mental disorder, dissociative identity disorder (DID) may be present. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with DID escape reality in involuntary and unhealthy ways (p.1). The study of DID is important because social problems such as childhood abuse contribute to the disorder. Furthermore, people with DID do not lead normal lives in their communities; they experience serious psychological and physical problems.
An individual with DID expresses “two or more distinct or split identities” that control his …show more content…
Most people with DID have experienced life-threatening disturbances during their development. Dissociation can occur in cases of severe emotional and physical abuse (WebMD p.1). Indeed, DID is often associated with childhood sexual abuse and other trauma (Bentovim p.22). Dissociation may occur when an individual seeks to escape a frightening situation. Cases of DID generally involve individuals abused at the age of nine or younger (Schmidt p.2). Not only sexual abuse, but also physical and emotional abuse can lead to DID. According to Schmidt, children who experience trauma learn “escapist behavior” that causes them to dissociate slowly, with their primary personality changing into multiple personalities …show more content…
The narrator’s behavior is abnormal; he talks to himself, believing that he is talking to another person. Everywhere he goes, he talks to Tyler. In addition, he loses his memory of his experiences as Tyler.
DID results in abnormal behavior as two or more personalities control the patient (MayoClinic p.1). The case of Sybil Isabel Dorsett is a classic example of multiple personalities. Sybil had sixteen different personalities. She was not aware of all of them. Developing these identities helped her to overcome trauma. Like other individuals with DID, she experienced amnesia that led to identity fragmentation (Schmidt p.3).
DID can have various complications; such as suicide attempts, self-mutilation, sexual dysfunction including sexual addiction or avoidance, alcoholism and substance abuse, depression, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and severe headaches (MayoClinic p.3). The narrator of Fight Club exhibits several of these complications. He has an addiction to support groups and an addiction to sex with Marla. He suffers from insomnia. In addition, as Tyler, he tortures himself by burning his hand with a toxic chemical. Such behaviors are not acceptable in society and are maladaptive.
Evaluation of
Introduction
Most people experience instances of light dissociation, such as daydreaming or getting “lost in the moment” while doing their work. When dissociation becomes a severe mental disorder, dissociative identity disorder (DID) may be present. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with DID escape reality in involuntary and unhealthy ways (p.1). The study of DID is important because social problems such as childhood abuse contribute to the disorder. Furthermore, people with DID do not lead normal lives in their communities; they experience serious psychological and physical problems.
An individual with DID expresses “two or more distinct or split identities” that control his …show more content…
Most people with DID have experienced life-threatening disturbances during their development. Dissociation can occur in cases of severe emotional and physical abuse (WebMD p.1). Indeed, DID is often associated with childhood sexual abuse and other trauma (Bentovim p.22). Dissociation may occur when an individual seeks to escape a frightening situation. Cases of DID generally involve individuals abused at the age of nine or younger (Schmidt p.2). Not only sexual abuse, but also physical and emotional abuse can lead to DID. According to Schmidt, children who experience trauma learn “escapist behavior” that causes them to dissociate slowly, with their primary personality changing into multiple personalities …show more content…
The narrator’s behavior is abnormal; he talks to himself, believing that he is talking to another person. Everywhere he goes, he talks to Tyler. In addition, he loses his memory of his experiences as Tyler.
DID results in abnormal behavior as two or more personalities control the patient (MayoClinic p.1). The case of Sybil Isabel Dorsett is a classic example of multiple personalities. Sybil had sixteen different personalities. She was not aware of all of them. Developing these identities helped her to overcome trauma. Like other individuals with DID, she experienced amnesia that led to identity fragmentation (Schmidt p.3).
DID can have various complications; such as suicide attempts, self-mutilation, sexual dysfunction including sexual addiction or avoidance, alcoholism and substance abuse, depression, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and severe headaches (MayoClinic p.3). The narrator of Fight Club exhibits several of these complications. He has an addiction to support groups and an addiction to sex with Marla. He suffers from insomnia. In addition, as Tyler, he tortures himself by burning his hand with a toxic chemical. Such behaviors are not acceptable in society and are maladaptive.
Evaluation of