Abstract The movie I chose for this paper is titled Frankie & Alice. The main character, played by Halle Berry, was named Frankie. Frankie had a history of traumatic events that took place as she was growing up which resulted in her being diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. Frankie was unaware that she had any type of disorder until she was picked up by police and chose to receive treatment instead of going to jail. The paper includes a synopsis of the movie, along with an analysis of the symptoms Frankie’s character experienced to lead to her diagnosis. Also included are evidences about dissociative identity disorder and what may lead to its diagnoses in an individual. Prevalence of the diagnoses along with treatment selections for the diagnoses is also discussed. Dissociative Identity Disorder Below, discussion regarding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) will be addressed in relationship to the movie Frankie & Alice. DID as defined in the DSM 5 is a dissociative disorder in which a person develops two or more distinct personalities (Comer, 2013, p. 209). DID can also be known by its former name of multiple personality disorder. Traub (2009) also adds that the symptoms of DID are not a result of medical conditions or substance abuse. This does not mean that those who are diagnosed with DID do not drink. According to Dorahy et al., (2014), although symptoms of DID are not a result of substance abuse, it has been found that 50% of
This movie was based during the 1970s in Los Angeles. The main character name is Frankie Murdoch. She is an African American woman who works as a stripper during the night. She is an independent and strong woman. Frankie discovers that she has dissociative identity disorder when she found herself admitted to Pearce Psychiatric Hospital after a violent outburst at a wedding. The doctor who examined her initially is Dr. Oswald. The doctor noticed that Frankie was right handed but when her alter ego surfaced she changed to left handed.
In chapter 15 of Exploring Psychology, the author discuss the basics of psychological disorders. Within this assignment, the psychological disorder of my choosing is Dissociative Identity Disorder. The commonality of the disorder is rare. Although we’ve disassociated ourselves in some form or the other with our ability to daydream, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is more severe and is usually linked to trauma. Formerly the disorder was known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Individuals who suffer from this disorder usually have more than one aspect of themselves or personalities, whom he or she is completely unaware of. Sufferers of the disorder have to deal with a variety of symptoms such as memory loss, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, black-outs, impulsiveness, and perception of being detached from the self. The severity of the trauma is usually extreme, repetitive, and long-term. The individual may have an extensive history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.
Frankie presents with symptoms of memory loss of certain time periods and personal information that cannot be explained by a medical condition, possessing items and unexplained purchases, an unclear sense of identity, significant stress, lacking the capacity to cope well with stress, periods of violent tendencies, manic episodes, the presents of two or more distinct personalities that assume control of her behavior. Known formerly as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is described by interchanging to different identities. Each identity has a unique name, personal history and characteristics, including obvious differences in voice, possible gender, gestures, behaviors and even physical qualities as the need for glasses, or ambulating devices. They also are
Dissociative identity disorder is a condition of mystery that is not clearly understood because of its way of presenting in a patient. In this research article there will be in depth analysis of the condition that is so publically recognized by Hollywood but at times ignored by medical professionals. There will analysis of demographics and who is affected more; male or female will also be looked at closely. There will also be a review of what factors predispose individuals to Dissociative Identity Disorder, and how it is diagnosed. There will also be information of how the disorder is treated via therapy and medication. The usual signs and symptoms will also be discussed and
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a psychological issue that is quite debilitating to the affected individual. Symptoms of this disorder often mimic those of other physical and mental disorders such as seizure disorder, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (“Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)”, 2012). The distinguishing symptom of Dissociative Identity Disorder, however, is the presence of two or more distinct identities that alternately take control of the individual and this symptom is the main basis and plot of The Secret Window. In addition, the person is plagued by memory losses that cannot be explained by ordinary forgetfulness and may even find items that he or she doesn’t remember buying. (“Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)”, 2014). Also, the individual may experience unexplained changes in eating
Out of the seventy-one designated psychiatric facilities under the Mental Health Act in Ontario, fifty participants (both male and female) diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder were randomly selected to participate in the study. Out of the fifty participants selected, twenty-five (n = 9, n = 16 respectively) agreed to participate in the study for a payment of $50.00.
The first myth is that Dissociative Identity Disorder isn’t real. This is false because in 1980 it was released into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). The second myth is that Dissociative Identity Disorder is the same as Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a psychotic illness which does not involve alternate personalities or dissociation. The third myth is that people with Dissociative Identity Disorder are violent, but they are no more violent than “normal” people. The last myth says that Dissociative Identity Disorder is a personality disorder. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a dissociative disorder because instead of extreme emotional reactions with the world, Dissociative Identity Disorder people lose contact with themselves (Peisley, 2017, 1). Dissociative Identity Disorder has also been depicted in many movies. For example, Me, Myself, and Irene with Jim Carrey is about a 17-year veteran of the Rhode Island Police and without his medicine his personalities come out. This is false because no medications can “get rid” of the disorder. Another movie about Dissociative Identity Disorder is Frankie and Alice starring Halle Berry who is a black stripper seeking therapy from an imperious white racist. These two movies are other great examples of misconceptions of Dissociative Identity Disorder.As stated above, this disorder has many different misconceptions of the true meaning of Dissociative Identity Disorder that everybody needs to be aware
Following the life of Paula Stewart, who had been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), is absolutely intriguing. Reading and studying the breakdown of this dissociative disorder has been eye-opening. Paula’s road to recovery is unlike anything most people have ever heard of. Although there was great struggle in learning to cope with this disorder, Paula received the best treatment she could under her circumstances.
Mental illness refers to a vast majority of mental health conditions, all of which are disorders that affect one’s behavior, mood, and way of thought. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, each year 1 in 5 adults in America suffer from a mental disorder. This means 18.5% -43.8 million people- have a mental illness of some sort. Out of the 43.8 million people, 10 million of them suffer from a mental disorder serious enough to hinder major life activities. This paper will be focused on Dissociative Identity Disorder and Schizophrenia, two mental illnesses that are sometimes hard to differentiate because of their similarities.
The movie, Secret Window, is a psychological thriller that is based on a novella called Secret Window, Secret Garden by Stephen King. Like most psychological thrillers, the character that has a mental illness is portrayed in a very exaggerated and dramatic way. Some portrayals can be very accurate while others are simply for reeling in the audience. For the purpose of this paper, I will discuss the accuracy of David Koepp’s portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder in the main character of Secret Window, some symptoms that are clear and maybe not so clear, as well as treatment options for DID.
The presence of dissociative identity disorder in the media is more common than one may presume. In the media, the portrayal of the disorder is very negative. The way the media shows the disorder only builds on the stigmatization already made for the disorder which is harmful and negative towards the people diagnosed with the disorder. Some of these portrayals include the movie Split and the television show Criminal Minds. Both of these and many other films show negative portrayals of people diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder.
In the film, “Frankie and Alice,” the viewer is not only able to see the manifestation of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) but also its momentary yet lasting effects on the life of a person living with it. The film also serves as a catalyst for discussing the nature of disassociation, why there is such a need for debate on dissociative episodes, and how DID challenges the very existence of a “personal identity.” One’s personal identity can be defined as having continuity and making possible the unification of “earlier and later parts of subjectivity and, viewed from the outside, of persons and lives” (Radden 133).
The film Frankie & Alice starring Halle Berry is based on a true story of a woman who is living with a dissociative identity disorder. Set a number of years back (likely the 1970s or 1980s), this film provides the audience with a close up look at what it might be like to live with a mental health disorder. While watching the film, I put a great deal of effort into understanding the symptoms and episodes of the disorder, as the main character experienced them. Through my findings, I have a greater understanding and appreciation not only of dissociative identity disorder but also of mental health in general.
This research paper aims to explore the mental disease known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder. I explore the meaning, symptoms, and effects of DID. My research describes those diagnosed with DID and the probable reasons of why they have the disorder. This study also explains the many different treatments and the effects those treatments might have on a person that has the disorder. I include a research study done on someone diagnosed with DID, the method used to help treat her, and the results of her treatment. Lastly, I state my opinion on DID and the methods I believe with help people prevent, treat, and cope with
Diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID) accounts for an estimated 1% of the general population and up to 20% of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric populations (Brand & Loewenstein, 2010). DID can also be triggered and manifested in individuals which is why trauma is especially prevalent in individuals diagnosed with DID; about 71% have experienced childhood physical abuse and 74% sexual abuse (Foote, Smolin, Kaplan, Legatt, & Lipschitz, 2006). Due to trauma being so prevalent in DID many individuals with dissociative disorders suffer from a multitude of psychiatric issues that may include