what is the difference?

What is the difference between identity alteration, identity confusion, and DID? Are they 3 seperate "disorders"?

Also from the ISSD site: </font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
What are identity confusion and identity alteration?

Identity confusion is a sense of confusion about who a person is. An example of identity confusion is when a person sometimes feels a thrill while engaged in an activity (e.g., reckless driving, drug use) which at other times would be repugnant. Identity alteration is the sense of being markedly different from another part of oneself. This can be unnerving to clinicians. A person may shift into an alternate personality, become confused, and demand of the clinician, “Who the dickens are you, and what am I doing here?” In addition to these observable changes, the person may experience distortions in time, place, and situation. For example, in the course of an initial discovery of the experience of identity alteration, a person might incorrectly believe they were five years old, in their childhood home and not the therapist’s office, and expecting a deceased person whom they fear to appear at any moment (e.g., Fine, 1999; Maldonado et al., 2002; Spiegel & Cardena, 1991; Steinberg, 1995).

More frequently, subtler forms of identity alteration can be observed when a person uses different voice tones, range of language, or facial expressions. These may be associated with a change in the patient’s world view. For example, during a discussion about fear, a client may initially feel young, vulnerable, and frightened, followed by a sudden shift to feeling hostile and callous. The person may express confusion about their feelings and perceptions, or may have difficulty remembering what they have just said, even though they do not claim to be a different person or have a different name. The patient may be able to confirm the experience of identity alteration, but often the part of the self that presents for therapy is not aware of the existence of dissociated self-states. If identity alteration is suspected, it may be confirmed by observation of amnesia for behavior and distinct changes in affect, speech patterns, demeanor and body language, and relationship to the therapist. The therapist can gently help the patient become aware of /these changes (e.g., Fine, 1999; Maldonado et al., 2002; Spiegel & Cardena, 1991; Steinberg, 1995).

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tks.. I guess what i'm askin is if there is a disorder for identity confusion and/or alteration outside DID?

Identity confusion can happen with and without DID. for example someone with alzehimers gets confused as to who they are and who the people around them are and frequently get lost because they cannot remember who they are, where their home is and so on.

Amnesia victims have Identity confusion. Something happens where they don't know who they are. about a year ago there was a case on a news show maybe dateline where this man went to get groceries and suddenly didn't know who he was, what happened to cause his memory loss but walked away because he had no idea where he was and who he was or any relatives the homeless shelter where he ended up helped him to begin a new life in another state with a new name and so on. A year later he was featured on a program and someone recognized him as being the person on the tv show and called in. The guy has since been reunited with his original family but he lives now with the new family and life he had after the amnesia took his memory because he still cant remember being the person in the first state. He may never get his memory back no one knows for sure.

As for alteration going by the explaination above the person does not have to have DID but it does happen with it.

A person who would not normally shoot up with drugs suddeny does it ignoring all the risk factors. Like for example a friend who doesn't normally smoke cigarettes, she knows what they can do and cause and so she does not smoke BUT yet in certain circumstances like being out at a popular dance bar here She will disregard the risks of smoking and her health (asthma) and will smoke even though health wise it is very dangerious for her to. Its an added bonus or thrill to her.. the smoking isnt a normal every day behavior for her just in that situation she goes for it even though she knows she will experience an asthma attack.

thanks sky and myself. Im a bit clearer.

you're welcome.

Thanks from me too. Sky, do you spend your time studying all this stuff? Do you have a library? People here are so smart. I learn learn learn all the time. (I do that voice thing.......) Great question esthersvirtue.