“Dangerous Minds” by Priscilla Masters: Gratuitous Symptoms of Multiple Personality

“From deep inside, her naughty voice spoke up in her own defense.

“But she still got herself murdered, didn't she?” (1, p. 20).

Comment: An italicized voice inside the protagonist’s head, suggestive of an opinionated alternate personality.

“For someone like Barclay, a voice growled inside her, there is no ‘enough.’ "(1, p. 98).

Comment: As above.

“Then she gathered herself up and continued in a voice she hardly recognized as her own: prim, tight-mouthed, business-like…Heart tumbling over head, head tumbling over heart. She was dizzy, then that voice came out again” (1, p. 129).

Comment: The alternate personality takes over and she speaks in its voice.

“She [her alternate personality] spoke only to her reflection in the bathroom mirror [her regular personality] What are you waiting for, Claire…” (1, p. 133).

Comment: Since no character in this novel is labelled as having multiple personality, the above quotations are probably inadvertent reflections of the author’s normal, creative version of multiple personality disorder, which I call “multiple personality trait.”

1. Priscilla Masters. Dangerous Minds. Surrey England, Severn House, 2016. 

“Becoming Myself: A Psychiatrist’s Memoir” by Irvin D. Yalom: Author eavesdrops on his characters

Like a novelist with “multiple personality trait,”—my name for the mentally well, creative version of multiple personality disorder (a.k.a. “dissociative identity disorder,” common among fiction writers, as discussed in this blog—Dr. Yalom experiences person-like entities inside him that seem to have minds of their own (the definition of alternate personalities):

“I have often heard writers say a story writes itself, but I hadn’t understood it until then. After two months, I had an entirely new and deeper appreciation of an old anecdote that Marilyn [his wife] had told me years before about the English novelist William Thackeray. One evening, as Thackeray came out of his study, his wife asked how the writing had gone. He responded, ‘Oh, a terrible day! Pendennis [one of his characters] made a fool of himself and I simply could not stop him.’

“Soon I became used to listening to my characters speaking to one another. I eavesdropped all the time—even after finishing the day’s writing, when I was strolling arm in arm with Marilyn on one of the endless buttery beaches. Before long I had another writerly experience, one of the peak experiences of my life. At some point while deep into a story, I observed my fickle mind flirting with another story, one taking shape beyond my immediate perception. I took this to be a signal—an uncanny one, to myself from myself—that the story I was writing was coming to an end and a new one was readying for birth…” (1, p. 227).

1. Irvin D. Yalom. Becoming Myself: A Psychiatrist’s Memoir. New York, Basic Books, 2017/19. 

President Donald Trump’s Signature (post 2): Graphological Analysis of his Angular Signature

Post 1 (Feb. 20, 2025) noted that President Trump’s current signature is markedly different from his signature in the 1990’s; however, since both signatures are from his adult years, their differences may mean that he currently contains both of the personalities that they represent, but that his angular one is more prominent in his role as president.

I have just consulted a textbook on the psychological interpretation of signatures (1). One type of signature it interprets—“Cursive with Angular Pattern”—is like President Trump’s current signature, which it interprets as follows:

“A signature characterized by angular formations, particularly sharp-angled strokes connecting letters, unveils significant traits about the writer’s personality and approach to life. Angularity in a signature reflects a writer who is principled, opinionated, and exhibits a militant stance toward their beliefs and decisions. This sharpness in form suggests a mental sharpness in thought and discrimination, showcasing an individual who is analytical, investigative, and strategic. Such a writer approaches life with a keen eye, evaluating situations and people with a critical mindset, rarely giving in to blind faith or unexamined beliefs.

“However, this pronounced angularity also hints at a lack of softness or flexibility, indicating that the writer may struggle with warmth in interpersonal relationships. They might come across as insensitive or rigid, finding it challenging to express gentleness or adaptability. Their actions are driven more by principle than by feeling, which, while showcasing integrity, can also lead to a perception of coldness or detachment.

“On an emotional level, the angular signature suggests a tendency to intellectualize or deny feelings rather than embracing them. This can manifest in interactions as criticalness or an unyielding nature, potentially leading to frustration or tension in relationships. The signature reveals an individual who, due to experiences of unmet emotional needs or long periods of neglect, may develop a hardened exterior, protecting a core that has been deprived of care and affection.

“In essence, an angular signature exposes a writer who is formidable in their intellectual and strategic capabilities, competitive and hardworking, yet possibly challenged in the realm of emotional expression and flexibility. It underscores a life approached with determination and a readiness to face challenges, but also a need for understanding and patience from those who wish to connect with the deeper, more vulnerable aspects of their personality” (1, pp. 286-287).

1. Varun L. Rupani. Graphology Signatures: A Comprehensive Book on Signature Analysis. India, Singapore, Malaysia, notion press.com, 2024. 

President Donald Trump’s Signature in the 1990’s

Comment: Do these two different signatures represent two different personalities?

“The Hospital” by Leslie Wolfe: Hero-Villain’s Split Personality

“I look at him with pity. Somewhere inside that man is a fractured soul, a tormented personality, perhaps from some past trauma I never knew about. I almost ask, when I realize I don’t really want to know” (1, p. 305).

Comment: Author has a need to include multiple personality, but is afraid to examine the issue.

1. Leslie Wolfe. The Hospital. London, Bookouture, 2024. 

“The Secrets of Us” by Lucinda Berry: Novel’s Doctors and Detectives Fail to Endorse Author’s conclusions

“I know Krystal thinks I went crazy, and maybe I did, but I’m pretty sure a part of me will always be haunted by Alice’s ghost (1, p. 246).                  

Comment: “Parts” may be undiagnosed alternate personalities: Search “parts” in this blog.

1. Lucinda Berry. Seattle, Thomas & Mercer, 2021.

“Donald Trump Contains Multitudes” by Barton Swaim in Today's Wall Street Journal: Truth in Jest?

“Baby Teeth” by  Zoje Stage: Why Seven-Year-Old Hanna Had Never Spoken

“For fuck’s sake, Hanna. Why don’t you ever listen [or speak] to me?…Because I’m not Hanna,” the girl whispered. (1, p. 38).

“It was a little disappointing that Mommy didn’t want to know about her special friend. Poo-poo to her; Hanna would try again later (1, p. 39).

Comment: In multiple personality disorder, alternate personalities usually don’t respond to questions unless they are addressed by name.

1. Zoje Stage. Baby Teeth. New York, St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018/9. 

“The Perfect Daughter” by D. J. Palmer: The Title Character, who has Explicit Multiple Personality Disorder, is the Chief Suspect in a Murder

Author’s Acknowledgment: “Dissociative identity disorder [a.k.a. multiple personality disorder), which features prominently in this novel, is a very complex and multifaceted condition that is often incorrectly dramatized in books, TV, and the movies. I did a substantial amount of research on the disorder and prioritized portraying the character with DID as true to life as possible (1, p. 436).

1. D. J. Palmer. The Perfect Daughter. New York, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 2023.

“The New Husband” by Brian O’Rourke: TWINS (identical or evil, and PARTS as INADVERTENT metaphors for multiple personality (a.k.a. dissociative identity disorder)

TWINS: “We looked alike…When we were kids, Christopher used to pretend to be me, Brent says” (1, pp. 148-149.)

Comment: Since alternate personalities in multiple personality share the same body, they look alike when they come “out” and take control of behavior, like identical twins; so “twins” may be used as a metaphor for multiple personality. And since some alternate personalities may be “persecutors” (2. p. 108), an “evil twin” may also be a metaphor for multiple personality.

PARTS: “Am I really going through with this? Part of me thinks I should wake up at my regular time tomorrow and head into the office” (1. p .40).

Comment: In the early stage of treatment for multiple personality, a sensitive therapist may use “parts” as a euphemism for alternate personalties (2, p. 92), since persons with multiple personality who have not yet been diagnosed tend to think of the thoughts and feelings of their alternate personalities, not as identified with their “I,” but as associated with one of their “parts.”

INADVERTENT: Why is “multiple personality” never explicitly mentioned in this novel? Probably because the novelist did not intend to raise the issue, which may reflect his own “multiple personality trait,” a theme of this blog.

1. Brian R. O’Rourke. The New Husband. Inkubator Books, 2023.

2. Frank W. Putnam, MD. Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder. New York, The Guilford Press, 1989.

“I Am WE, My Life with Multiple Personalities” a memoir by Christine Pattillo and the Gang

Christine Pattillo’s memoir, published by her in 2014, is a deep dive into a psychology that most people do not have, but which, according to this blog, many fiction writers do have, in a milder, creative form, which I call “multiple personality trait.”

 “Chasing The BOOGEYMAN” by Richard Chizmar: Author's Note

 “…Now, as many writers will tell you, some stories are born prematurely; you might have the skeleton of a decent idea and perhaps even a main character in mind, but all the rest…is missing. Of course, many other stories are birthed plump and healthy; in these cases, all the major plot points are in place, the complete roster of characters are present and ring true in your heart, and all that’s left to do is to connect the dots…Still others…are born fully formed, as if merely buried in a mound of sand that needs only to be brushed away in order to discover the entirety of the story—crackling with life and energy and wonder—underneath. Chasing the Boogeyman was like that for me—just waiting there beneath the surface. Fully formed, brimming with mystery, and chock-full of surprises” (1, p. 319).

Comment: Richard Chizmar says he doesn’t remember creating “the entirety of the story,” except for brushing away a “mound of sand” covering it.

So who, then, wrote this novel? It was the author’s creative alternate personalities, for whose writing process he has a memory gap (a cardinal symptom of his mentally-well version of multiple personality): "multiple personality trait," the theme of this blog.

1. Richard Chizmar. Chasing the Boogeyman. New York, Gallery Books, 2021/2022.

“Hooked” by Emily McIntire: James (a.k.a. “Hook”) is described as "a dichotomy" and a “Jekyll and Hyde personality,” but multiple personality, per se, is never mentioned

“He’s a dichotomy, threatening my life in one breath and being a gentleman in the next. It’s terrifying how he can do both so flawlessly, as if they’re integral parts of him…It tosses everything I’ve ever been taught about good and evil out the window until it skews and blurs in my brain" (1, p. 214).

“Ugh! I explode, anger scorching through my insides, exhausted from his hot and cold act. “You are so fucking insane!…his Jekyll and Hyde personality…” (1, pp. 231-232).

Comment: This novel is a contemporary literary example of why people think multiple personality is rare: Even a bestselling author who built a whole novel around it, doesn’t explicitly mention “multiple personality.”

1.Emily McIntire. Hooked. Bloom Books, Sourcebooks, 2021/2022.