If you have ever been in a relationship with a narcissist, you might have wondered Does a Narcissist Have a multiple personality?
Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously referred to as multiple personality disorder, is a dissociative disorder involving a disturbance of identity in which two or more separate and distinct personality states (or identities) control an individual’s behavior at different times. When under the control of one identity, a person is usually unable to remember some of the events that occurred while other personalities were in control. The different identities, referred to as alters, may exhibit differences in speech, mannerisms, attitudes, thoughts and gender orientation. The alters may even present physical differences, such as allergies, right-or-left handedness or the need for eyeglass prescriptions. These differences between alters are often quite striking.
Other conditions that often occur in people with DID include post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders (especially borderline and avoidant), personality disorder.
According to Elizabeth F. Howell, PhD, Disso-ciation and pathological narcissism are inextricably intertwined, each reflecting aspects of the other. So there is evidence linking pathological narcissism and dissociative identity disorder. And from what I have seen, I’m not really surprised.
DID is associated with overwhelming traumas, or abuse during childhood. In about 90% of cases, there is a history of abuse in childhood, while other cases are linked to experiences of war, or medical procedures during childhood.
Those who have been close to or lived with a pathological narcissist have likely noticed the split in personality that is evident in the good guy/bad guy persona.
One of the primary concerns for people who have experienced narcissistic abuse is this Doctor Jekyl / Mr. Hyde personality split. One moment the individual can be lovely, kind, helpful, charming and seem to be caring. The next moment the individual is cruel, uncaring, completely lacking in empathy, abusive, accusational and horrific in their behavior.
A common question asked by people who are in relationship with a narcissist is “are narcissists evil?” There is also the question
“which part is real….the good part or the evil part?”
Listen to the full podcast “Does a Narcissist Have a Multiple Personality” on Pandoras Box Radio below:
