Multiple Personality Disorder in Childhood

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Abstract
Multiple Personality Disorder (M.P.D.) has been diagnosed in adults and adolescents at an almost exponential rate over the last 10 years in contrast to the previous 100 years. Childhood M.P.D., a more recently recognized entity, has been identified both by retrospective patient reports and actual child case reports, of which we were able to note 12 in total, 4 of which may be more accurately described as “incipient M.P.D.” Given the apparently rapid response to treatment compared to adults and the high morbidity caused by the adult form of the disorder, the authors recommend a “high index of suspicion” and the use of screening questionnaires to detect cases of M.P.D. in high risk populations of children. Although the natural history of M.P.D. is not known, early identification and treatment could lower the number of cases of childhood M.P.D. that become established as adult cases and decrease the associated morbidity of the disorder in both children and adults. More research is needed to establish prevalence, etiology and effective treatment methods.

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