The movie “Split” was released in 2020. It is a thriller movie written and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. It tells the fictional story of a man named Kevin who has 23 alters. One of Kevin’s alters abducts three teenage girls. Later on, a “beast” alter enters the movie with a violent, horrific, super-villain type character.
Hi. It’s Shayne (he/they) here.
As someone who has been diagnosed with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), I have long felt like I had a duty to watch and respond to this movie.
So…here are my thoughts.
First, a little background about DID.
There is a lot of controversy and differing opinions about not only the legitimacy of the disorder but also the theories about its development.
In my understanding and what I see to be true, DID develops in response to severe repeated trauma during early childhood. The “personality” of a young child is not yet fully formed/integrated. In response to the trauma, alters form to protect the individual and to get them through the horrific experiences they are facing.
A note about terminology: In the past, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) was called Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). The new diagnostic term (DID) is much more appropriate because it aligns the name with the etiology of the disorder - disassociation.
Also, psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, and individuals diagnosed with DID have differences of opinions about the terms that should be used for the entities that develop due to the trauma. Terms such as personalities, parts, alters, persons, family members, and more…. In this writing I will refer to my alters as alters. That term is the most comfortable to me, but please be aware that everyone has a different preference.
So, let me start with the few good things I was able to pull from this film.
Are alters their own complete persons?
Yes!
In my experience, alters have their own gender identity. They have their own likes and dislikes. They have their own speech patterns. They have their own roles and ways of handling stress. Alters do share a physical body, but they are completely unique.
For a personal example, one of my alters identifies as male and has a caretaker/functional role - meaning he is better at taking care of everyday responsibilities, chores, and tasks.
Are alters formed to protect the individual?
Yes!
Alters form out of dissociation, when the brain protects itself from the trauma that is happening. These alters that form develop their own unique and effective ways of keeping the individual safe mentally, emotionally, or physically. This is really, truly amazing. The brain is so, so creative and smart.
Alters form for a reason, and they have a function as unique as the individual with DID. Their approaches to protecting the individual can continue long after the initial trauma occurred.
For me, the alter, that I mentioned earlier, has often protected us by separating emotions from memories and functioning without feeling as strong emotions as would be appropriate for the situation.
To digress a little, it is important to note that these protective measures can have negative impacts when they are continually used post-trauma.
Should therapists for individuals with DID get to know alters?
Yes!
In order to help an individual with DID to heal from their traumatic past, it is critical and unavoidable that any therapist who is involved learns about the individual’s alters.
Behaviors, coping mechanisms, and specific memories can belong or be “held” by specific alters.
Often individuals with DID refer to their group of alters as a system. Other terms can be used but I personally use system.
A therapist needs to get to know a whole system in order to really help.
Now, I move on to the bad of the film.
Are alters always very obvious ?
No.
Some systems do not even know they are a system for a long time due to dissociative amnesia. Alters are often very good at “pretending” or “passing” as one united individual when necessary.
Alters don’t always change their clothes and act dramatically different. When the system is comfortable, aware, and accepted alters can become more obvious and act like themselves, and this is very healing!
Do alters have superpowers ?
No.
Alters are in fact parts of a human being.
They function within a physical human body. Some differences are possible. A voice can change tones; a speech pattern can change; a new language can be spoken.
But!
The alters do not develop superhuman gifts or powers.
But wait, there were also more sinister “ugly” parts of this film that must be mentioned and called out!
Are people with DID are dangerous and serial killers?
Hell no!
Individuals with DID have developed the disorder because they went through extreme childhood trauma. They were hurt horrifically - mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically, sexually…..
It is DANGEROUS to portray DID in a thriller - horror film.
Is the existence of DID fiction ?
No.
Real people in the real world with real alters with real trauma history - do exist.
To sensationalize and misrepresent DID the way this film did is not only harmful to those who have DID but also to professionals and the general public as well.
This can lead to all sorts of real life problems….
It furthers stigma about DID, but also other forms of mental illness.
It makes it almost impossible and frightening for systems to reveal themselves and seek the support they need.
I’m sorry… that was a lot. I didn’t plan to say that much, but I think it’s soooo important to really take a critical look at films that portray mental health topics and this one hit close to home.
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