The multiple personality epidemic. Additional cases and inferences regarding diagnosis, etiology, dynamics, and treatment.

The past decade has witnessed a marked increase in the reported incidence of multiple personality patients. This review examines 16 papers published between 1970 and early 1981 that reported 29 cases of multiple personality other than the 50 cases reported earlier by George Greaves. These 29 case reports confirm that psychic and physical abuse, sexual trauma, and restrictive environments during childhood and consequent conflicts, especially regarding anger and sex, are likely to have etiological significance for this disorder. All but one of these patients were females, which might reflect sex differences in modes of conflict resolution. Psychic and physical abuse, sexual trauma, restrictive environments, and suicide attempts appear to have diagnostic implications. Prognosis appears favorable when integrative procedures are employed. This review and that by Greaves provide a comprehensive compilation of recent reports of multiple personality patients.