Alter-personalities Quote by Richard P. Kluft
““The often dramatic differences among the personalities are more an arresting epiphenomenon than the core of the condition. Characterological factors, cultural influences, imagination, intelligence, and creativity make powerful contributions to the form taken by the personalities. Most DID patients are rather muted compared to those cases incorrectly assumed to epitomize the condition (Kluft, 1985b). The personalities enact adaptational patterns and strategies that developed in the service of defense and survival. Once this pattern, which disposes of upsetting material and pressures rapidly and efficiently, is established, it may be repeated again and again to cope with both further overwhelming experiences and more mundane developmental and adaptational issues.””
About This Quote
Source Journal Article: Personality Disorders, 1985
Personality differences are superficial compared to underlying condition; adaptation, imagination, intelligence, and creativity shape personalities, especially in DID.
In simple terms: Surface traits hide deeper adaptive mechanisms.
Key Takeaway
Recognize deeper factors beyond outward traits.
Themes
psychology
identity
adaptation
creativity
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
clinical
Type
clinical
theoretical
educational
When to use this quote
- clinical assessment
- therapy
- research
- education
Key Concepts
personality disorders
defense mechanisms
trauma response
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden adaptive strategies influence behavior?
- How can clinicians see beyond surface traits?
A Different Perspective
Complexity may be oversimplified; not all cases fit this model.
![“clinical literature is virtually unanimous that full MPD [Multiple Personality Disorder] cannot be created iatrogenically. There is no evidence that such a case has been demonstrated; clinicians of widely different orientations have studied the available information and arrived at similar…” quote by Richard P. Kluft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/41f/richard-p-kluft-44450_books_clinical-literature-is-virtually-unanimo_296516.jpg)
![“Interestingly, the patients who presented to me self-diagnosed [with Dissociative Identity Disorder] had tried to tell previous therapists of their plight, but had been disbelieved. These therapists had used fallacious "capricious criteria" (KIuft, 1988) to discredit the diagnosis; e.g., that the…” quote by Richard P. Kluft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0cc/richard-p-kluft-44450_capricious_interestingly-the-patients-who-presented_680376.jpg)
