‘Split’: not accurate portrayal of DID, according to professors

Arts & Entertainment – The Tropolitan

(CONTRIBUTED/ Universal Studios)The recently debuted movie “Split” is entertaining, but don’t expect to get a lesson in psychology.


Draven Jackson
Staff Writer
Since its release on Jan. 20 of this year, the film “Split” has been topping the box office and receiving positive critical feedback, despite controversial content.
In the film, three girls are abducted by Kevin Crumb, a man with severe dissociative identity disorder. He keeps them locked in a small room, and they are confronted with many of his 24 personalities.
“Split” plays with some dark content, mainly that of child abuse. Kevin’s multiple personalities came about in response to the abuse he experienced from his mother
His 24th personality, named “The Beast,” believes those who have experienced abuse and suffering are “pure” and will rise above humanity.
According to the DSM-5, a publication by the American Psychiatric Association that provides a classification of a wide variety of mental disorders, dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously called multiple personality disorder, is a psychological condition that comes about most often in response to a traumatic experience, usually after some form of abuse.
The disorder creates at least two distinct, separate identities or personalities in order to help a person cope with the trauma.
The DSM-5 also states that DID is extremely rare. While there are many documented cases of people with dissociative identity disorders, some still argue that the disorder does not exist.
This disbelief is a major center point of the film, as well, as Kevin and his therapist hope to make the disorder better-known.
Kevin has 23, later revealed to be 24, vastly different personalities. Some of these are seen as bad personalities and so are not allowed “in the light,” which means that they cannot control Kevin’s body.
“Barry” is one of Kevin’s personalities, and he controls who is allowed “in the light.”
According to Keith ...


Read more