Evidence of Dissociative Identity Disorder in Fight Club

In the movie Fight Club we are introduced to an average, white-collared, middle aged man who is seemingly normal at first glance. However, it is clear that the narrator suffers from insomnia, anxiety, and depression very early in the film. The narrator attempts to combat these symptoms in a number of ways, however, the only way that he has found to be effective is by attending support groups on a nightly basis. The narrator soon creates an alter ego (though we do not know he is his alter ego until the end of the film) named Tyler Durden. Durden is more attractive, has a better physique, and is overall more confident than the narrator and Durden regularly takes control of the narrator without the narrator’s knowledge to carry out†¦show more content†¦What is more, the narrator flagrantly engages in impulsive, irresponsible, risk-taking behaviors that place him and the general public in danger. According to Sadock Sadock(2007) dissociative identity disorder commonly presents with many of the same symptoms that plague the narrator in stating, â€Å"affect modulation is frequently disturbed, giving rise to mood swings, depression, suicidal tendency, and generalized irritability. Impulse control is often impaired, leading to risk-taking, substance abuse, and inappropriate or self-destructive behaviors. High levels of anxiety and panic are common†(p. 672). Based on all of the narrator’s symptoms it is clear that the narrator fits the diagnostic criteria for dissociative identity disorder not otherwise specified. The diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder requires the individual to have two separate personalities or identities that take control of the individual. In this specific case, the narrator only suffers from one separate identity taking control and therefore he does not meet the criteria for dissociative identity disorder. The DSM-IV-TR supports diagnosing the narrator withShow MoreRelatedAbnormal Psychology - Film Review - Mental Disorders in Fight Club1563 Words   |  7 Pagesa nihilist soap salesman who is disgruntled with common culture. Eventually in the movie Tyler takes the fight club and turns it into Project Mayhem, which organizes increasingly serious anti-capitalism vandalism ventures. During one of these missions, a fight club member dies, and Jack tries to shut down the operation in Tyler’s absence. He retraces Tyler’s steps and learns that fight clubs have been started in every major city. It is in one of these cities that someone calls him Tyler. Jack callsRead MoreEssay on A Psychoanalysis of Jack in Fight Club1942 Words   |  8 Pagesvacant house in the middle of no where and that is where the relationship between Jack and Tyler formulate. Initially, Jack is unaware that Tyler is not real. This is shown by the fact that he refers to himself as us, engages in conversions, fist fights with Tyler and at one point even sharing a beer with Tyler. SITUATIONS STRESSORS: Jack feels unsatisfied with his life. He feels abandoned by friends and most importantly his family. His father deserted the family when he was a little boy