DID and schizophrenia are different conditions with some overlapping symptoms. People with DID experience multiple identities or personalities, while people with schizophrenia do not
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) differs from schizophrenia in that a person with DID sometimes has two or more identity states. This does not occur in schizophrenia. Dissociative disorders, in general, may cause issues with thoughts, identities, and memories and result in a disconnection from reality.
A disconnection from reality also occurs in schizophrenia. However, schizophrenia causes disturbances in thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and beliefs, not different identities.
Because the name “schizophrenia” stems from the Greek words for “splitting” (“schizo”) and “mind” (“phren”), people may mistakenly believe it has a connection to DID, which mental health experts previously called “split personality disorder.”
This article will explain the differences between schizophrenia and DID, including the causes, treatments, and symptoms.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder. It
DID — which experts referred to as multiple personality disorder or split personality disorder until
The two disorders have symptoms and causes that
Read more about schizophrenia and DID.
Dissociative vs. psychotic disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) categorizes schizophrenia as a psychotic disorder, whereas DID is a dissociative disorder.
The definition of dissociation in the DSM-5-TR includes a disruption in the standard flow of:
- consciousness
- memory
- identity
- emotion
- perception
- motor control
- behavior
The difference between the two is that dissociation tends to cause a disconnection from reality, such as the sense of who a person is, while psychosis tends to add something to reality, such as hallucinations.
Why do people confuse them?
Many people confuse the two disorders because they have overlapping criteria. Studies suggest that
The two conditions share the following symptoms:
- hallucinations, which can be visual or auditory
- suicidal ideation
- delusions
- dissociation
Sometimes doctors or mental health professionals may mistakenly assume that a person who believes they have multiple personalities is experiencing delusions. Delusions differ from having multiple identities, as they can be ideas or beliefs that have no grounds in reality.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Symptoms that may occur in both DID and schizophrenia include:
- amnesia, or memory loss
- hearing voices
- a sense of disconnection from other people
However, the two disorders also have differing symptoms, as the table below illustrates.
Symptoms of schizophrenia | Symptoms of DID |
---|---|
positive symptoms such as hallucinations, which involve hearing voices or seeing people who are not there | feelings of detachment from real life |
delusions, such as strong beliefs in things or ideas that are not true | memory loss, or amnesia |
issues with cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and reasoning | an inability to cope with stressful life situations |
reduced emotional expression | a feeling that nothing is real |
negative symptoms such as withdrawal from society | issues with identity, including having multiple personality states that a person cannot integrate |
depersonalization, or the feeling of being outside oneself |
The causes of DID and schizophrenia differ. Experts do not know the exact cause of schizophrenia, but it may be a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
DID and other dissociative disorders are usually the result of trauma. Dissociation is how the mind can cope with traumatic experiences or extreme stress. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 90% of people with DID in the United States, Canada, and Europe have experienced severe neglect and childhood abuse.
Other traumatic experiences that may result in DID include:
- war or military combat
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- emotional abuse
Switching off from reality is a standard way of responding to something that the body or mind feels it cannot cope with. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) describes this as a sense of denial, as if the event or situation is not happening to the person.
It becomes an issue when this sense of switching off remains even when a person’s environment is no longer threatening.
Treatments for the two disorders differ. For example, doctors may prescribe antipsychotic medication to
Treatment for both disorders involves psychotherapy, which can include:
- talking therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help manage hallucinations, symptoms such as anxiety, and episodes of dissociation
- support from mental health professionals
- medications for accompanying symptoms such as anxiety and depression
With treatment, people with DID and schizophrenia can live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Both schizophrenia and DID are rare disorders. Schizophrenia affects just
DID affects
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Both schizophrenia and DID have connections to suicide and other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
The NHS states that those with schizophrenia have an increased risk of suicide. This may be a result of trying to manage symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions and live a fulfilled life.
If the family or friends of a person with schizophrenia notice that the person experiences low periods or mentions suicidal thoughts, it is important to report these to a healthcare professional.
People with DID may also
DID and schizophrenia have some overlapping symptoms, but they are separate conditions. While people with either condition may experience delusions, depression, and suicidal thoughts, people with DID experience multiple identities or personalities, while those with schizophrenia do not.
The causes of both disorders may stem from trauma, but experts do not know the exact cause of schizophrenia. Treatment for both conditions includes talk therapy such as CBT.