[Research] The Correlation between Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Dissociative Identity Disorder

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Nak, thank you for providing us with Jill Bolte Taylor's account of her stroke, succinctly yet powerfully outlining the workings of the left and right hemisphers of the brain and what they house. It was interesting to learn the function of the corpus collosum and how it connects the two hemispheres together though each having two distinctly separate lives, so to speak.

She states that it's the left hemisphere which says I am. Now of course, I'm going to bring Dissociative Idenity Disorder into the equation. Persons with DID have the abstract "I" which can view personai (or alters) and their landscapes. But there is no "I am". Now this ability to create personai which function to protect this abstract "I" must take place in the right hemisphere as the whole of DID is phenominally creative. Taylor says that when not left brain functioning she could hear inner voices which is true of DID persons. She also explains the euphoric sense of feeling light weighted, detached from her body. Out of Body Experiences (OBE) is also common to DID. But here is the need to "escape" not a symptom of a stroke.

She goes onto explain that the left brain is the "choreographer of life". With DID there is no "one" choreographer of life but distinct personas who choreograph their own individual lives and because this involves a high level of creativity I will also assume this takes place in the right hemisphere. I'm given cause to believe a person with DID is not "grounded" in the left hemisphere of the brain. But some pernonai will draw from it. The ones designed to problem solve, working things out logically for the System as a whole. Now, when disconnected from her left hemisphere she claims to have heard inner voices which is also common to DID persons. I'd be curious to know if her voices interacted as do voices of those with DID.

In the end, she says "If we could all step to the right hemisphere we would see the "we" inside of us. That we would know Nirvana". Something pure. And there "is" something pure about having DID. Out from pure innocence as a child, and from scrap, we constructed something very organic in order to "survive" in the world at large.

Nak, thank you so much for introducing her. An amazing woman who has given me cause to examine myself in a more "left brained" way.


And to end with some points of interest:
Some organic causes of dissociation are both known and suspected. For example, many experts believe that temporal lobe epilepsy may lead to a dissociative disorder.

Imaging studies seem to support the theoretical claims of the sequestering of fragmented information. It would seem that the neural memory traces that hold the specifics of the trauma (imagery, sensory input, sound, smell, etc.) are isolated from one another. They are in essence compartmentalized. This implies that in fact small portions of the brain are isolated or compartmentalized. The only way in which these memories could retain their fragmented and isolated status is if the areas of the brain that housed and retained the information were not connected to one another to form a coherent whole.

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web3/Sancar.html
 
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Cinnabar,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you and I, as we have dealt with the reality of DID, were encouraged by therapists to see this whole issue of DID as a psychological issue. There is so much evidence that is being brought up here that is indicating that DID is a physical issue in the brain. It puts me very much in mind of how I was originally told that I had psychogenic or pseudoseizures. It was such a relief when it grew apparent that there is an actual physical cause for my seizures.

The link that you gave above provides a new kind of freedom for those of us who either are currently working through DID issues or have completed working through them. When someone says that DID is "all in your head," that does not mean that it's all psychological; it means that there is a concrete physical basis in your brain that accounts for the DID as well as for the seizures.

We don't have to live under a stigma that marks us for having either DID or seizures. There are legitimate causes of both that changes the brain. Those changes are not forever. We can work towards understanding and integration. And the integration is real. I remember my DID therapist telling me when I was finally integrated that I would remain integrated. And now I understand why.
 
I think the lines between physical and physiological and psychological are growing fuzzier every day. The brain is an electrochemical soup, constantly changing in reaction to a variety of environmental stresses. Humans like to label and categorize the adaptations of the brain by calling something a psychological (external) issue or calling it a physical (internal) issue. But each is just a metaphor for the other. The emotional effect of a given stress is basically inseparable from the same effect at the neurochemical level, but there are an infinite number of treatment approaches -- mostly because it's possible to alter the brain from the outside in (therapy) and from the inside out (meds), and from every directions at once.
 
Molly, for two years since my first seizure, Tonic Clonic, and joining CWE I have been ringing my hands and straining my brain trying to figure out the correlation between Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and DID. The articles I had read were packed with neurological, scientific jargon which I found difficult to sift through, having no background in either field. Since, I began this thread I've come to an ephiphany. We've struck on the right links and have engaged in exploring, interpretating this more digestable jargon. I, too, find great relief, now knowing that DID is more physiological than psychological. And with this sophisticated knowledge I'm thinking now how even angrier I am with the media portrayal of DID. Persons who are demonized as mass serial killers, cirus freaks and even as food for fodder for comedy shows such as "The United States of Tara" produced by Steven Speilburg. I'd like to see documetaries exploring the "real" nature, causes for DID.

Nak, I like how you put it, that the brain is like a electricalchemical soup stirred up by enviornmental factors. It's a kind of cop out to say "Well, this is physcological and this is neurological". I've been seeing a DID specialist for years now and when I brought up the subject of my condition as possibly being neurological she frowned. Probably, because she was incapable of thinking outside of the box. She was not in her comfort zone.

I have been fortunate enough to stumble on a (neuro)-phsychiatrist where we are able to discuss both factors though frankly not as thourougly as we have been doing in this thread.

Touching on some more important data from my link:

Dissociation as it relates to the hippocampus: The finding in my MRI result was that my left hippocampal volume was as high as 50% less than that of the right. This imbalance has to due with trauma stunting its growth rendering me a prime candidate with the ability to fragment the "I", neatly compartmentalizing components of injured self.
Interestingly, it is the hippocampus that serves to unify memory elements from diverse neocortical areas (2). In one study, patients who had suffered from abuse displayed 12% smaller hippocampal volume as compared to matched controls (2). This abnormal function of the hippocampus caused by degeneration may further account for the fragmentation of traumatic memories, as well as the clinical phenomenon related to MPD of dissociative amnesia


Jill Bolte Tayor discussed the corpus callosum as a crucial function, linking the two hemispheres of the brain together for cerebral unification which renders a "whole" functioning person. She mentioned the "severing" of the corpus callosum as the root for her stroke. It lead me to wonder if DID was caused by the severed or simply "damaged" corpus callosum. Below I found my answer:
Even more interesting, the unity of self can be disrupted when the corpus callosum (the commissure that joins the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex) is severed (9). This particular instance of disruption of self has been historically described as a "Jekyll and Hyde" type experience where the left and right hemispheres act as two independent and seemingly different entities (4,5,6). It has been these findings that have ultimately spurred research on the possible neurobiological etiology of MPD


http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web3/Sancar.html
 
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I have been fortunate enough to stumble on a (neurologist)-phsychiatrist where we are able to discuss both factors though frankly not as thourougly as we have been doing in this thread.

Good for you Cinnabar. Finding someone who'll think outside the box is the biggest hurdle that we with nonstandard issues have to overcome. I was wondering if your DID therapist insists on taping your sessions with him. My DID therapist made his own tape of our sessions and insisted on my bringing a VCR tape with me each week so I'd have a copy to review at the house. I could see myself being "different" from week to week as different alters presented in session. Without the tape, I never would have known.

Prior to that, I was in therapy for 12 years or so with a therapist who didn't tape. I would remember the first five minutes and the last five minutes of each session; the remainder of the hour I "lost"; one of my alters switched in, "did therapy" and switched back out. My therapist knew it and did nothing to change that dynamic. To this day, I only remember parts of less than a dozen sessions stretched over those twelve years.
Disconcerting to say the least. But I have to remember that's how the rest of my life was being dealt with(switching in and out, that is)at the time. Thank heavens, I'm past that!

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for starting this very informative thread, Cinnabar.
 
Molly, unfortunately I was never taped. I do remember one session years and years back before my diagnosis. I was seeing this woman therapist. I heard her speaking to me like a was a baby. I was infuriated. Did she think I was stupid? What had I last said? I angrily asked her why was she speaking to me this way. She said that a little five year old was just talking. I could not comprehend this. Blanked it out of my mind but not so much so as to discontinue therapy with her.

Throughout my life there had been people who had asked me how old I was. I never dared ask they why they were questioning me and would give the body's age. Again, split blank. The question had never been asked in my mind.

I would often catch the end of part of a sentance of mine, hearing a different voice. Catching the end of a childish action. Again, split blank. I could not contend with it all and went on about my business. I was in the dark most of my life.

I wish I had been taped so I could see, hear what others picked up on.

And thank you Molly for helping keep this important thread alive...I'm going to post another YouTube to bring about more awareness to DID. Have to dig for the one I have in mind. Was there yeterday but not today. Just have to do some searching around.
 
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Persons with DID suffer beyond most people's comprehension. This video is intentend to bring about further awareness. DID is not a trendy, exotic disorder. It should be taken very seriously and be known that you could very well be seated next to a co-worker afflicted with it. It is more prevelant than most people think. My goal is to enlighten the public and dispell media portrayal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obj...e" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
 
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Interestingly, it is the hippocampus that serves to unify memory elements from diverse neocortical areas (2). In one study, patients who had suffered from abuse displayed 12% smaller hippocampal volume as compared to matched controls (2). This abnormal function of the hippocampus caused by degeneration may further account for the fragmentation of traumatic memories, as well as the clinical phenomenon related to MPD of dissociative amnesia

My left hippocampus is damaged, therefore that is where my seizures originate from, and I had surgery on the left side. When I used to live in Memphis, TN, my world renowed neuropsychiatrist, Dr. Dietrich Blumer, had asked me if there was abuse in my background because of the TLE and hippocampal damage. I don't have DID, but do suffer from depression and after the lobectomy, was even suicidal at times. Dr. Blumer called me a "complex patient" because nothing worked back then for the depression/erratic mood swings nor for the seizures after surgery. Plus I have a very difficult time with memory. If I'm introduced to someone, within a few moments, I will forget their name, so I have to repeat it in my head over and over. I also have aphasia, due to the surgery, (trouble finding words).
 
Hi Cindy, and I'm so glad you jumped in sharing your experience. It doesn't matter that you don't have DID. Your contribution, sharing about about damage to the left hemisphere of the brain is a great part of what we're discussing. Nak, provided a video where a scientist was discussing her stroke speaking of the left and right hemispheres of the brain so you're in the right place.

My left hippocampus is damaged, therefore that is where my seizures originate from
My left himmocampus is stunted as well and is the source of my seizures. It's volume is 50% less than that of the right. It was scary as hell viewing my MRI. Such disparity in full view in front of me I felt faint. Are you aware of your volume difference in the hippocampal areas? Just curious because I wonder if that lead to you surgery. If not, may I ask what factors led to your lobectomy?

Dr. Blumer called me a "complex patient" because nothing worked back then for the depression/erratic mood swings nor for the seizures after surgery.
Do you still suffer from depression and mood swings or are the meds keeping that under control? As for the aphasia, I certainly don't notice any lack of ability in your articulation or comprehension. But only you can tell the difference. But for what it's worth I view you as being consistantly keen.

Plus I have a very difficult time with memory. If I'm introduced to someone, within a few moments, I will forget their name
I have big time memory problems. If not for Post-Its, I don't know what I'd do. I also have trouble remembering people's names so I employ mneumonic devices. If I'm at a party and am introduced to a guy named Claud. I will think "Santa Claus" Claus sounds close to Claud in my mind. I try to keep the comparison in my mind. I just have make sure I don't call him Santa!

Here's a link which covers in detail mneumonic devices. Some are pretty complicated but you'll get the idea.

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Mnemonic
 
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If I'm introduced to someone, within a few moments, I will forget their name, so I have to repeat it in my head over and over.

Cindy,
You're not alone on this one. If I meet a new person and they introduce me to their cat or dog, I'll remember the pet's name and refer to them as ____(insert name of pet)'s parents. Works for me, but there are not many around me who remember pet names instead of people names.:)
 
This is very personal I'm sharing, but this was a few years back, I wrote this in my journal, you tell me??

"Billy-Me
Christopher-A Catholic Boy
William-The reflection of me"
There are other names as well, but I'll stop there.

What did it mean at that time?

It's DID.

Billy.
 
Are you aware of your volume difference in the hippocampal areas? Just curious because I wonder if that lead to you surgery. If not, may I ask what factors led to your lobectomy?
They told me once the volume, but of course, I don't remember. What lead me to surgery was the fact I had two young children at home back then and was having 4-5 seizures a day. My husband at the time traveled, so I needed relief. My poor children, they thought at times their mommy was going to die.

Do you still suffer from depression and mood swings or are the meds keeping that under control? As for the ahasia, I certainly don't notice any lack of ability in your articulation or comprehension. But only you can tell the difference. But for what it's worth I view you as being consistantly keen.
Once in a while I still have a bout of depression, but not like it once was. I think part of it was the seizures, part was the marriage and part was life in general.I felt sooo alone. And I have the VNS, so that helps, too. As for the aphasia, when I hesitate when speaking, that's when I can't find the word.
 
If I'm introduced to someone, within a few moments, I will forget their name, so I have to repeat it in my head over and over. (trouble finding words).

I don't have E, or DID, but people's names are the impossiblest things to remember, and faces as well. If I read something, I can often tell you approximately where in the book the information is, what side it's on, and if it appears on the top, middle or bottom of the page. So I can often find the reference I'm seeking in a 300+ page book in under a minute.

With people it's a whole other story. It took me over two months to figure out who was who at my job, and there's only 15 employees. Often I will meet someone, and not only do I forget their name, I will forget their face as well. There's a woman who works closely with some of my co-workers who I've, apparently, met on several occasions, and even spoken with, who keeps talking to me like we know each other, and I don't know who she is. When someone says her name, I can't connect it to her face, but I can connect it to where she works. I ran into her at a meeting two days ago, and she chatted like we've always known each other, and I was left scratching my head until somebody said her name. I've already forgotten it again.

It's unbelievably embarassing to be out in public, and people come up to talk to you, and you don't know who they are, but they seem to know all about you. I'm sure you guys are familiar with how it feels. I wonder, in my case, if it stems from childhood sexual abuse, and the resulting issues I've faced dealing with that.
 
I once heard that it takes 5 times of someone else telling you the person's name to remember it.

I can remember names and faces easily but soemtimes its hard to match the 2 together.
 
It's unbelievably embarassing to be out in public, and people come up to talk to you, and you don't know who they are, but they seem to know all about you. I'm sure you guys are familiar with how it feels. I wonder, in my case, if it stems from childhood sexual abuse, and the resulting issues I've faced dealing with that.

occb,
I'm not one to try to make everyone have DID, but you say that childhood sexual abuse is part of your past. It is mine too. My solution to it apparently was DID. It's the background of many women with DID. I too had people coming up to me, people that clearly knew me, that I had no idea who they were. Different alters interacted with different people.

This reminds me of my hubby and I flying to see one of his friends and his wife. They hooked up with us at the airport and we ate dinner together there. This is according to my hubby. I remember the trip(we wound up in CA)but no memories of meeting these people. And many more similar instances too many to put here.
 
This is very personal I'm sharing, but this was a few years back, I wrote this in my journal, you tell me??

"Billy-Me
Christopher-A Catholic Boy
William-The reflection of me"
There are other names as well, but I'll stop there.

What did it mean at that time?

It's DID.

Billy.

Have you looked into the possibility of DID with a trusted therapist? They have a set of questions they ask you out of the Physician's Desk Reference that can help pinpoint a diagnosis of DID.
 
occb,
I'm not one to try to make everyone have DID, but you say that childhood sexual abuse is part of your past. It is mine too. My solution to it apparently was DID. It's the background of many women with DID. I too had people coming up to me, people that clearly knew me, that I had no idea who they were. Different alters interacted with different people.

This reminds me of my hubby and I flying to see one of his friends and his wife. They hooked up with us at the airport and we ate dinner together there. This is according to my hubby. I remember the trip(we wound up in CA)but no memories of meeting these people. And many more similar instances too many to put here.
I know I definitely don't have DID, but I do know I've had some dissociative episodes in my life. I also used to be a heavy binge drinker when I was younger, due to my past experiences. All of which may have a certain amount to do with my inability to remember. It's odd though, because it's JUST people and their names I have trouble with, otherwise my memory is well above average.

If I try hard enough, and they give me enough detail about our previous meetings, I have about a 50/50 chance of remembering them. Often though, I remember the meeting, the conversatin, what we did, but the person simply doesn't exist in there. I need to research what part of the brain is more specific to remembering faces or people.
 
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I know I definitely don't have DID,

occb,
And you base that statement on what?

People reading this thread need to know that none of us diagnosed with DID ever "knew" we had DID until a perceptive therapist or doctor picked up on it. It's not like you look at yourself and you say "Oh, I have a broken arm." DID is hidden from yourself. It's only when the DID no longer works as a coping strategy and your ability to function quasi-normally that it becomes apparent to others. We who have been diagnosed with DID go through the same disbelief and protestations that anyone diagnosed with a life-altering disease go through.
 
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