Citation

Piper A. Br. J. Psychiatry 1994; 164(5): 600-612.

Affiliation

Providence Hospital, Seattle, Washington.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7921709

Abstract

Five aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of multiple personality disorder (MPD) were examined. The following five conclusions were made: the contemporary diagnostic criteria are vague and overinclusive; the recent alleged increase in prevalence of the disorder is almost certainly artefactual; legal proceedings involving MPD patients raise disturbing questions about personal responsibility; there is little literature support for the theory that MPD results from childhood trauma; and many of the techniques used to diagnose and treat the condition reinforce its symptoms. A careful revision of diagnostic criteria for the disorder is recommended.

Language: en