Dissociative Identity Disorder and Christian Flourishing - Harvey Cawdron

Summary:

In this project, I shall investigate the nature of flourishing in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) – a mental disorder in which numerous identities, or alters, arise within the same body - from a Christian theological perspective. There has been a lack of engagement with DID in disability theology thus far, meaning that engagement with it in this project is important.  

This research will involve considering the impact of DID on social relationships. Those with DID have been known to express concerns about being labelled as mad, and sometimes keep friends at arms-length due to fears about what might happen if there is a switch of identities. Moreover, there are cases where covert identities, those not currently in control of the body, have a council meeting to supervise the emergence of the different identities and make sure their needs are met. Identities can also vie for control of the body and interfere with one another’s projects. Thus, when considering social relationships in cases of DID one has to consider the relationships between the identities as well as those the DID patient has with others. I will investigate these implications of DID to consider whether the condition itself necessarily results in suffering, or whether DID can be considered a diversity characteristic that is not necessarily bad for the person that has it.  

I will generate an account of Christian flourishing in DID that considers the unique difficulties faced by those with the condition. When considering flourishing for those with DID within Christianity, it is important to provide an account of how the identities can flourish together, instead of causing harm through conflict. For this, I shall draw on accounts of the sanctification process - where, following conversion, the believer works with the Holy Spirit towards virtue and against sin – that suggest that one’s psyche becomes integrated around the good in this process. Because their psyche is split into numerous different identities and is thus not integrated, this will not work in DID cases. However, we can suggest that the Holy Spirit can help the group of identities come together around the good, alleviating the suffering caused by the conflict between the different identities.  

Another key dimension of the difficulties faced by those with DID is forming social relationships. In a Christian context this would involve participation in Church worship. Thus, it is also important to consider the unique challenges those with DID face when forming social relationships and how the Church community can better accommodate those with DID.   This account of flourishing will be outlined in a journal article, and I shall produce another article in which I consider existing accounts of Christian flourishing in the theological literature to see how well they accommodate those with DID. I will also organise a conference panel and workshop, write a blog post, and participate in a podcast. This project is designed to help further dialogue between psychology and theology, develop discussions of DID in disability theology, and contribute to reducing mental health stigma in Christian communities.