The Quiet Ones: A gripping psychological thriller (23 page)

The doc told me that my “victims” were finally buried. As if I give a fuck. Still, I’m happy in the knowledge that that animal was buried without his head. Sometimes, they ask me where I put it. But I won’t tell. It’s my little secret. He won’t be needin’ it where he’s goin’.

Now that Josie knows about me, it feels like I’ve come out of the shadows. She doesn’t need me now, not like she used to. It’s not easy but it’s somethin’ I’ve got to accept. I’ll keep an eye out for her still. I always will. I’m never goin’ to leave her. Not ever.

Taken from
www.psychologytoday.com

• American Psychiatric Association
  
• National Institute of Mental Health
  
• Handbook of Psychology
  , Vol. 8 (John Wiley)
  

Definition of Dissociative Identity Disorder

Called Multiple Personality Disorder until 1994, the name was changed to reflect a better understanding of the condition—namely, that it is characterized by a fragmentation, or splintering, of identity rather than by a proliferation, or growth, of separate identities.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states are present in — and alternately take control of —an individual. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

DID is characterized by identity fragmentation rather than a proliferation of separate personalities. The disturbance is not due to the direct psychological effects of a substance or of a general medical condition, yet as this once rarely reported disorder has become more common, the diagnosis has become controversial.

DID reflects a failure to integrate various aspects of identity, memory and consciousness in a single multidimensional self. Usually, a primary identity carries the individual's given name and is passive, dependent, guilty and depressed. When in control, each personality state, or alter, may be experienced as if it has a distinct history, self-image and identity. The alters' characteristics — including name, reported age and gender, vocabulary, general knowledge, and predominant mood — contrast with those of the primary identity. Certain circumstances or stressors can cause a particular alter to emerge. The various identities may deny knowledge of one another, be critical of one another or appear to be in open conflict.

Causes

Why some people develop DID is not entirely understood, but they frequently report having experienced severe physical and/or sexual abuse, especially during childhood. Though the accuracy of such accounts is disputed, they are often confirmed by objective evidence. Individuals with DID may also have post-traumatic symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, and startle responses) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Several studies suggest that DID is more common among close biological relatives of persons who also have the disorder than in the general population. As this once rarely reported disorder has grown more common, the diagnosis has become controversial. Some believe that because DID patients are easily hypnotized, their symptoms are iatrogenic, that is, they have arisen in response to therapists' suggestions. Brain imaging studies, however, have corroborated identity transitions in some patients.

Treatments

The primary treatment for DID is long-term psychotherapy with the goal of deconstructing the different personalities and uniting them into one. Other treatments include cognitive and creative therapies. Although there are no medications that specifically treat this disorder, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs or tranquilizers may be prescribed to help control the mental health symptoms associated with it.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Detective Superintendent Brian Foster and Detective Sergeant David Fuller for helping me to keep the details based in reality. Thank you to my husband for keeping me sane and to my children for keeping me smiling. It goes without saying that I could not have finished this book without the support of all the brilliant people in my life. Last but not least, a huge thank you to my editor.

A note from the publisher,
Bloodhound Books
.

Please help others enjoy
The Quiet Ones
too by leaving a review on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

If you enjoyed
The Quiet Ones
you will also enjoy;

Carrion
;
Betsy Reavley’s brilliant and bracing psychological thriller. You can buy it here in the
US
and
UK
.

Beautiful;
Anita Waller’s stunning debut has sold thousands of copies worldwide to critical acclaim. You can buy it here in the
US
and
UK
.

We regularly give away free and discounted ebooks. To be kept abreast of these as well as all the latest news from Bloodhound Books, sign up to our monthly newsletter.

www.bloodhoundbooks.com/contact