Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) did much to popularize the concept of a ‘split personality’, sometimes also referred to as ‘multiple personality disorder’ (MPD). However, MPD is a vanishingly rare condition that has nothing to do with schizophrenia. The vast majority of psychiatrists, myself included, have never come across a case of MPD, and many suspect that the condition does not even exist.
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Thanks for sharing. I enjoy history.
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Interesting to read the origin of the word schizophrenia, though its a bit vague - split mind refers to a ‘loosening of thoughts and feelings.’ Hm that doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me. But it doesnt seem to mean a split from reality, as some people believe.
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Well, if we consider the impermanence of the causes of this disease, then how are we to say that the current model is an accurate depiction of what causes schizophrenia?
It could be a lack of, or more of, a chemical in the blood, it could be related to the gut, to the diet, etc, etc…or there could be a spiritual component after all is said and done, as well. Who knows, how are we to say, when we were clearly 20, 50, 100, and a 1000 years ago completely incorrect?
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