Question

What DSM5 diagnosis for a 17 year old Hispanic girl that states she has had a male presence with her since she was 6. She states I don't want to hurt myself." L denied even remembering cutting her wrist, saying, "He must have done it or made me do it.” L was questioned about the person she was talking about. She related that there has been a male presence in her life since she was 6 years old and that he makes her do things that she doesn't want to do or things she can't even remember. This presence showed up after the funeral of her best friend, Michael. L said he communicates with her through her mind. She seemed distressed when speaking about him. Her mother appeared distressed and fearful as well. L’s mother confirmed that L had trouble sleeping and concentrating at school after the funeral. She did not want to attend Girl Scouts anymore, because the uniform had gotten tight and the male presence was laughing at her. L’s mother remembered how scared she had become on a few occasions when L attempted to run out into traffic. Every time L’s mother yelled at L for doing that, L stated that the male presence explained that this was how she could join her friend Michael. L’s mother took L to a therapist. When L entered the third grade, L’s mother took her out of therapy. L reported that during her awake hours she can't see this presence, but she can sense him. She said she does see him in her dreams, and his appearances in them have intensified within the past year. In her dreams, he torments children, and he controls people through a haunted mirror and a magic book. He reads and controls thoughts. L described him this way: “He looks in his 40s, but is really ageless. Always dressed in dark colors, but I can’t tell the exact colors he wears. I know his eyes are powerful, but I never really look at his eyes.” I would like to know what diagnosis would be appropriate for this case study.

Answer 1

Answer- Upon diagnosing this 17-year-old Hispanic girl, it is pretty evident that this girl is suffering from a dissociative personality disorder. A dissociative personality disorder is a mental health condition wherein an individual is delusional and has hallucinations and false beliefs that do not exist in reality. It is the presence of two or more identity states within the subconscious of a person. As the girl suggested, she usually feels a male presence within her, who looks like he is in his 40s, who "makes her harm herself". Another symptom of DPD ( Dissociative Personality Disorder) is amnesia like the girl said, she has no memory of harming herself.