In Disociative identity disorder, each pattern of behavior is complex and this behavior usually contrasts strikingly with that of normal state. It is the integrated scheme of attitudes, emotional responses and social behavior. One of the main characteristics of this disorder is that people look as if they are lost. They seem unaware that the time has passed.

Here the central personality seems to disconnect when the person possess the other. And thus disrupts the continuity of recollection of life events. Dissociation is a mechanism that allows the mind to separate or classify certain memories or thoughts from normal perception. The dissociation process occurs along a spectrum of severity. It does not essentially mean that the person has the mental disorder. Dissociation relates hypnosis involves a momentarily altered state of consciousness.

It is one of the most misunderstood types of mental illness. Sometimes it is being presented in most exaggerated form and is compared to schizophrenia. Dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia are two different cases. The two are often confused.

Associated features of dissociative identity disorder are:

• Depression
• Trauma
• Mood swing
• Phobias
• Panic attacks
• Sleep disorders
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Panic attacks
• Fragmentations of identity and memory
• Disruption of identity and memory
• The patient has at least two distinct personality states. Each has its own ability of relativity, thinking and relating to self and environment
• Common forgetfulness. The patient loses the ability to remember important personal information.

Dissociation thus disrupts the continuity of self and the recollection of events.

Causes of dissociative identity disorder are:

• It is usually caused by abuse or sever trauma in early childhood. This trauma can be emotional, physical or being neglected in childhood.
• Usually due to much involvement in a book or a movie so the complete surroundings gets unnoticed
• Mild degree of dissociation can occur with physical stress, when people go without sleep for long period of time.
• Moreover dissociation is caused by some traumatic experiences as childhood abuse, criminal attacks, involvement in a natural disaster, or brainwashing in hostage situations
• Repeated and sever physical and sexual abuse in childhood.
• The influence of other relatives with dissociative symptoms or disorders.
• Insufficient protection and nature during childhood also crate this disorder.

Based on these causes and symptoms, the dissociative identity disorder treatment is decided by the doctor. However, for treating dissociative identity disorder properly, you need to diagnose the disease timely.