Therapy of multiple personality

Abstract

In multiple personality, conflicting portions of the original personality have become 2 or more, largely disparate and autonomous personalities. Being a portion, each may be called a subpersonality. Of each 2 subpersonalities, at least one has some amnesia for the other. The therapist must be especially competent, particularly if he uses any hypnosis, deep analysis, or strong suggestion. He must avoid whatever may separate the subpersonalities further. He must help the subpersonalities to unite in common understanding, interests, memories, and living as a complete person. Electroshock is contraindicated. Useful methods may well include group therapy, especially when the other members, as witnesses, can help each subpersonality to remember each other subpersonality's behavior, feelings, and thoughts and to merge to become whole.