Psychology, Theology and DID
This articles is a broad survey psychological literature and
therapeutic treatment for dissociative identity disorder from a Christian
perspective (Badgett, 2018).The purpose of the article is to explore how
the integration of theology and psychology can be applied when treating
patients with dissociative identity disorder. The author argues that
psychological treatment for dissociative disorder patients, from a Christian
perspective, should focus on the integration of patient's alternate
identities. He uses Psalm 86:11 where David prays for an undivided heart
to support this conclusion. The author explains that these alternative
identities may have different opinions on important aspects of life such as
purpose, value, identity, meaning, and religious views. Counselors must
remember that those who are resistant to the integration of these
alternative identities are often resistant due to the trauma that they have
endured and not because of an aspect of the identities themselves. The
author states that these is a disorder of the soul and true healing can only
come from the Holy Spirit. This author clearly follows theAlliesmodel as
described by Entwistle as he is attempting explore psychological
treatment for dissociative identity disorder from the perspective of a
Christian counselor (Entwistle, 2015).
I chose this article as this author attempts to address a complex
disorder from a Christian counselors perspective (Badgett, 2018).I agree
with the author's point that therapeutic healing will not be fully
accomplished without the work of the Holy Spirit. Dissociative identity
disorder occurs as the result of trauma, most commonly sexual trauma,
where the one that is experiencing the trauma unconsciously creates
alternate identities in order to cope with the trauma. The soul of this
person is injured early on as a result of this trauma. In order to
therapeutically treat these clients, Christian counselors should help them
understand their disorder from a Christian perspective. Furthermore,
counselors should encourage them towards the integration of their
alternate identities. I believe that it would be extremely difficult to be
unified with Christ and become one with Christ, without first being unified
with each alternate identity. Addressing dissociative identity disorder from
a non-Christian perspective is complex as there is a lack of hope and
restoration that comes with Christianity. Furthermore, Christianity helps in
explaining why these things happen, relating to the sin nature of all
humans. Sin is not an excuse but an explanation. More research needs to
be done on psychological therapeutic treatments that are effective for
complex traumatic stress disorders from a Christian perspective.
References
Badgett, J. P. (2018). Child Sexual Trauma, Dissociation, and the Soul: A
Christian Psychology Conceptualization.Journal of Psychology and
Theology,46(3), 199-
214.http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/0091647117750659
Entwistle, D. N. (2015).Integrative approaches to psychology nd
Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical
foundations, and models of integration. Cascade Books.
