Dissociative Identity Disorder - The Basics About Multiple Personalities from a Christian Perspective

I had never read a Christian perspective on DID, and I will read more, to hopefully see other more scientifically based Christian approaches. As a professional therapist with extensive reading on the science of dissociative disorders, I feel confident saying this approach is both far too simplistic and likely damaging to individual's with this disorder. I was happy to see that the author directly states that DID "alters" are not demonic in and of themselves, but there is a heavy emphasis on "demonic strongholds." This serves in the long run to hold onto the Christian concept of illness being associated with "demonic forces," original or personal sin, and ultimately some fault of the sufferer for not having enough faith, or commitment or other personal sin, to heal. To be clear clients are not told in the book, their multiplicity is their fault directly and it is pointed out several times that the "disorder" is actually a normal response to trauma. But between the lines, in the prayers and vocabulary used, the underlying theme is, "If you submit to God's authority all will falI into place." The implied corollary is, "If you don't, that's on you." This information is far to scant for usefulness to a professional counselor, and use of this approach by a lay church member or unlicensed counselor is certain to result in further damage. This topic is well researched in the scientific literature. A good place to start is the book, "The Haunted Self" by Onno Van Der Hart. There are many others.

Once more I am only giving 4 stars to a book I wish I could give 5 stars to. This one is not so much aimed at Christians as I thought although Dr. Irons does talk about ministering to those with DID, she doesn't really give any specifically "Christian" reasons for its existence or any specifically "Christian" approaches to treatment. She is redundant but actually that is what I liked most about the book. She repeated and restated many tidbits of information that are necessary to understanding this otherwise mind-boggling disorder.Dr. Irons lists the many different terms used by Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Ministers, Patients, Psychotherapists and Laypeople to describe the same or very similar issues related to DID. Her writing is clear, concise and informative. It is not simplistic but it is simple.

An outstanding tool for people who know or work with people with DID.

The best book I have read on the topic of DID and the spiritual aspect of it I highly recommend this book

I really enjoyed this book. I have a fascination with mental health and this book really helped me better understand DID. It is a fascinating disorder that is not very well understood. This book helped break it down.

Thank you to the author of this very informative book on DID. Explanations and explicit details of this illness are easy to comprehend. And references to the knowledge within the book are also given. God Bless you

Gave me tools to deal with a boyfriend suffering from extensive DID. I no longer fear the alters or doubt he will intigrate.

This book is very imformative and helped me understand more about the disorder my closest friend suffers from. Thank you Dr. Lynda Irons for helping taking the time to write this book

Informative at the beginning- deceptive. Because the religious subtext could be read and overlooked without adding too much of a distraction to the reading itself.. at the end though- WHOA ! Not cool.

Dr Lynda L Irons writes in a way which informs and teachers her readers. Her writing style makes a difficult subject matter easy to read and understand.

I had never read a Christian perspective on DID, and I will read more, to hopefully see other more scientifically based Christian approaches. As a professional therapist with extensive reading on the science of dissociative disorders, I feel confident saying this approach is both far too simplistic and likely damaging to individual's with this disorder. I was happy to see that the author directly states that DID "alters" are not demonic in and of themselves, but there is a heavy emphasis on "demonic strongholds." This serves in the long run to hold onto the Christian concept of illness being associated with "demonic forces," original or personal sin, and ultimately some fault of the sufferer for not having enough faith, or commitment or other personal sin, to heal. To be clear clients are not told in the book, their multiplicity is their fault directly and it is pointed out several times that the "disorder" is actually a normal response to trauma. But between the lines, in the prayers and vocabulary used, the underlying theme is, "If you submit to God's authority all will falI into place." The implied corollary is, "If you don't, that's on you." This information is far to scant for usefulness to a professional counselor, and use of this approach by a lay church member or unlicensed counselor is certain to result in further damage. This topic is well researched in the scientific literature. A good place to start is the book, "The Haunted Self" by Onno Van Der Hart. There are many others.

Once more I am only giving 4 stars to a book I wish I could give 5 stars to. This one is not so much aimed at Christians as I thought although Dr. Irons does talk about ministering to those with DID, she doesn't really give any specifically "Christian" reasons for its existence or any specifically "Christian" approaches to treatment. She is redundant but actually that is what I liked most about the book. She repeated and restated many tidbits of information that are necessary to understanding this otherwise mind-boggling disorder.Dr. Irons lists the many different terms used by Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Ministers, Patients, Psychotherapists and Laypeople to describe the same or very similar issues related to DID. Her writing is clear, concise and informative. It is not simplistic but it is simple.

An outstanding tool for people who know or work with people with DID.

The best book I have read on the topic of DID and the spiritual aspect of it I highly recommend this book

I really enjoyed this book. I have a fascination with mental health and this book really helped me better understand DID. It is a fascinating disorder that is not very well understood. This book helped break it down.

Thank you to the author of this very informative book on DID. Explanations and explicit details of this illness are easy to comprehend. And references to the knowledge within the book are also given. God Bless you

Gave me tools to deal with a boyfriend suffering from extensive DID. I no longer fear the alters or doubt he will intigrate.