Three controversies about dissociative identity disorder

Three controversies about Dissociative Identity Disorder are discussed. First, is DID an artefact due to iatrogenic influences? The empirical evidence does not support such a conclusion, although iatrogenic influences may play a considerable part in the presentation of this disorder. Second, how adequate are the present diagnostic criteria? It is argued that the DSM-IV may elicit overdiagnosis and that the use of structured clinical interviews is mandatory. The third controversy concerns memory processes of DID patients. Does psychogenic amnesia for sexual abuse exist, or are the so-called repressed memories of sexual abuse false memories (unintentionally) induced by overzealous therapists? Clinical data and experimental laboratory findings do not converge in this. The massive amnesia for traumatic events that is clinically reported in dissociative disorders, has not been replicated in laboratory studies, whereas memory research has shown that some false memories can be created in the laboratory. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.