Why Multiple Personality is Hidden and Overlooked

Patients tend to fear, avoid, and hide symptoms of multiple personality, because it is the oddest thing they can think of, and would seem to mean that they are crazy. But the fact is that the chapter on psychotic (“crazy”) disorders in the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association does not even mention multiple personality disorder. It does mention Delusional Disorder (1, p. 90), Brief Psychotic Disorder,” Schizophreniform Disorder (1, p. 96), Schizophrenia (1, p 99), Schizoaffective Disorder (1, p. 105), Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition (1, p.115), and Catatonia (1, p. 119). The manual does not mention multiple personality disorder (renamed Dissociative Identity Disorder) until its chapter on Dissociative Disorders (1, pp. 291-307).

Comment: Most persons with Dissociative Identity Disorder are not psychotic, and it is as common as schizophrenia (1, p. 294), but most psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists have not had much training in how to diagnose and treat it. Putnam’s textbook is a good introduction (2).

1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

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

"And Only to Deceive" by Tasha Alexander: Author says the story invented itself

“I knew I wanted to write about an English woman in the late Victorian period and had a strong image of her standing on the top of the cliff path on the Greek island of Santorini, one of my very favorite places. Once I started asking questions about how she came to be there, the story started to invent itself” (1, p. 312).

Comment: The author says that she did not experience herself as figuring out the story, but that the story invented itself, as if the story had a mind of its own, which is a split-personality creative process.

1. Tasha Alexander. And Only to Deceive. New York, Harper, 2005.

“A Beautiful Blue Death” by Charles Finch: Quoting Dividedness

“I only mean that she had two sides to her. As we all do, I expect” (1, p. 34).

“Lenox made…a silent pact with himself…” (1, p. 172).

1. Charles Finch.  A Beautiful Blue Death. New York. Minotaur Books, 2007. 

“The Strange Case of Jane O.” By Karen Thompson Walker

The author says Jane has a strange case of “dissociative fugue” (front flap) (1). And since Dissociative Fugue is one of psychiatry’s Dissociative Disorders, and the chief Dissociative Disorder is Multiple Personality (a.k.a. dissociative identity disorder), any novel with a dissociative patient under psychiatric care should evaluate the patient for multiple personality, which real-life patients often try to hide. But this novel never mentions multiple personality.

And since the author is a professor of creative writing (back flap) (1), she may have heard of Agatha Christie’s famous real-life case of dissociative fugue: When Christie was already famous, she disappeared from her home, and the search for her was headline news for weeks. She had disappeared after her husband was unfaithful, and she was eventually discovered checked-in at a hotel under another name (her dissociative identity).

In short, “time loss” is the single most common symptom of MPD, and fugue episodes are found in 55% of MPD patients (2, p. 59). Once a novel raises the issue of dissociation, a conscientious author must consider multiple personality.

1. Karen Thompson Walker. The Strange Case of Jane O. NewYork Random House, 2025.

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

“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. 

"Wicked" by Gregory Maguire: Author's reason for Wickedness is a religious explanation for multiple personality

“When goodness removes itself, the space it occupied corrodes and becomes evil, and maybe splits apart and multiplies…”

“ 'Well I wouldn’t know an evil thing if it fell on me,' said Galinda..."

" 'But they believe in evil still,' said Galinda with a yawn. 'Isn’t that funny, that the deity is passé but the attributes and implications of deity linger---' "

“ 'I am about to sleep, because this is profoundly boring to me,' Galinda said, but Elphaba was grinning from ear to ear" (1, p. 97).

1. Gregory Maguire. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. London. Headline Review. 1995/2024. 

2. Michiko Kakutani's 1995 [Negative] New York Times Book Review of Wicked.

https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/24/books/books-of-the-times-let-s-get-this-straight-glinda-was-the-bad-one.html

“Hero for the Holidays” by Maisey Yates: Inadvertent multiple personality

“Standing next to the horse now, he looked at ease. In his natural element. And he was showing her [Fia Sullivan], in a thousand different ways, that he was actually an amazing father.

  “Maybe he would have been a good one the whole time.

Maybe the problem was you” (1, p. 214).

“He appreciated Fia in that moment on a level he hadn’t yet.

For her intuition as a mother.

“She had it all along, you just didn’t appreciate it when it conflicted with what you wanted” (1, p. 237).

Problem: Italics indicate a third-person response in the character’s mind to what the character had just thought. But since there is no omniscient narrator in this novel, who makes those italicized third-person responses?

Comment: Perhaps the author has “multiple personality trait,” discussed in this blog, and it includes an alternate personality who sometimes comments on the author’s thoughts; and so, the author, inadvertently, gave that kind of alternate personality to two of her characters.

1. Maisey Yates. Hero for the Holidays. Toronto, Canary Street Press, 2024. 

 “Martyr!” By Kaveh Akbar: Protagonist’s Unlabeled Multiple-Personality Issues in both Creative Writing and Intimacy

—“Cyrus was a good poet when he wrote, but he rarely actually wrote. Before getting sober, Cyrus didn’t write so much as he drank about writing, describing booze as essential to his process, ‘nearly sacramental’–he really said it like that—in the way it ‘opened his mind to the hidden voice’ beneath the mundane ‘argle-bargle of the every-day.’ Of course, when he drank, he rarely did anything else but drink. ‘First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you!’ Cyrus would announce proudly to a room, to a bar, forgetting from whom he’d lifted the line.”

“In sobriety, he endured long periods of writer’s block, or more accurately, writer’s ambivalence. Writer’s antipathy” (1, p. 10).

“Getting sober means having to figure out how to spend twenty-four hours a day. It means building an entirely new personality" (1, p. 271).

Comment: The “hidden voice” sounds like the voice of a creative-writing alternate personality who can take over whenever the regular personality is subdued by alcohol. Of course, writing will be impaired if the person gets too drunk.

—“Cyrus just ended up with people, their gender rarely figuring significantly into his interest” (1, p. 151).

Comment: “At least half of all MPD patents [also have] cross-gender alternate personalities” (2, p. 110).

1. Kaveh Akbar. Martyr!  New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 2024.

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

“Shred Sisters” by Betsy Lerner: NO Multiple Personality

Comment: The older sister probably has a Mood Disorder, not multiple personality (a.k.a. dissociative identity disorder), which is a dissociative disorder, not an affective or mood disorder.

1. Betsy Lerner. Shred Sisters. New York, Grove Press, 2024.