An examination of the diagnostic validity of dissociative identity disorder

Clin Psychol Rev. 2001 Jun;21(4):577-608. doi: 10.1016/s0272-7358(99)00073-2.

Abstract

We review the empirical evidence for the validity of the Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) diagnosis, the vast majority of which has come from research conducted within the last 10 years. After reviewing three different guidelines to establish diagnostic validity, we conclude that considerable converging evidence supports the inclusion of DID in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. For instance, DID appears to meet all of the guidelines for inclusion and none of the exclusion guidelines; proposed by Blashfield et al. [Comprehensive Psychiatry 31 (1990) 15-19], and it is one of the few disorders currently supported by taxometric research. However, we also discuss possible problems with the current diagnostic criteria and offer recommendations, based on recent research, for possible revisions to these criteria.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bias
  • Child
  • Dissociative Disorders / classification*
  • Dissociative Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Dissociative Disorders / etiology
  • Humans
  • Personality Assessment / standards*
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Personality Disorders / classification
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic / standards
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproducibility of Results