Abstract
Introduction
In this study,
the author presents ideas about what he calls “shadowy personalities (SPs)”
i.e., destructive and aggressive, often masterminding parts of personality among
patients with dissociative identity disorder.
Objective
This study demonstrates
how these SPs manifest themselves, how they can be dealt with in various
clinical settings and how this notion adds to the understanding and treatment
of dissociative identity disorder.
Method
The author
seeks to conceptualize several types of SPs which manifest themselves
differently in clinical settings. Review of literature demonstrates how this
notion could be related to, and different from notions such as “persecutory
parts of the personality” and “controlling EP” proposed by past authors. Then a
case material is presented and implications of some psychotherapeutic approach
are further discussed.
Results
SPs are
demonstrated to have following features; anger/aggressiveness; difficulty being
identified, temporary appearance in critical situations and almost physically-felt
presence. The author then demonstrates some prototypical SPs, such as SPs with aggressor’s
voice, depressive and self-destructive SPs, SPs asserting themselves on behalf
of the host personality, and competitive SPs. A hypothesis of the way SPs are
formed is presented, primarily based on Ferenczi’s theory of the identification
with the aggressor. Three types of situations leading to the identification
with the aggressor are proposed: 1. a child identifies with the aggressive
aspect of the aggressor (i.e., “becoming” an aggressor), 2. a child identifies
with the internal image of oneself in the aggresor’s mind (i.e., aggression is
directed inward), and 3. a child identifies with a bystander (both in reality,
and fantasy) and aggression is used in support of himself.
Conclusion
The notion of SPs is
descriptive for its own nature as well as in the way that they are perceived by
other parts of personality. It was found that SPs were formed through different
types of identification with the aggressor, but their clinical manifestation
could be a mixture of features reflecting on all of them. The notion of SP is
experience-near for the patients and it can be used as communication resources
for the therapeutic couple in order to better understand each other and to focus
on the therapeutic orientation and goals.
