Dissociative personality disorder (double life) in psychopathology and in poetry

Journal/Book: Z Klin Psychol Psychiatr Psyc. 1996; 44: Postfach 2540, W-4790 Paderborn, Germany. Verlag Ferdinand Schoningh. 174-185.

Abstract: Identity dissociation signifies: there seem to exist two identities in one personality that take turns - apparently without knowing about each other. Descriptions of this rare state are often spectacular, As scientifically proven they depend on culturally specific conditions and iatrogeneous influences. The disorder is to be analysed in this article for the case of both psychiatry and every-day-life-experiences in a matter-of-fact way. The first description of the phenomenon is not found in psychiatric literature but in poetry. The novellas of E.T.A. Hoffmann contain at least eight descriptions of ''double life''. The ''Fraulein von Scuderi'' (1820) seems to be the most interesting of these and is therefore focused on in this article. E.T.A. Hoffmann himself was at the same time well respected jurist and significant artist of great versatility: poet as well as musician, composer, painter. Hoffmann's artistic and his civic life stood in sharp contrast, which gives reason to use of the term ''double life''.

Note: Article R Tolle, Univ Munster, Psychiat Klin, Albert Scgweitzer Str 11, D-48149 Munster, Germany

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