Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta.

Mesa, Manila
College of Science
Department of Physical Sciences

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER:

A CASE STUDY

CRIZALDO N. MEMPIN JR.

27 MARCH 2016
CASE STUDY
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) or dissociative personality disorder is a major
dissociative reaction in which the patient leads two or more lives independently, usually
alternating. Each personality seemingly possesses the ability to function independently and
separately, one in a dominant position, while the other (or others) is kept submerged for a time.
This reaction is the ultimate of dissociative progression. It is characterized by amnesia,
depersonalization, derealizations and identity disturbances. MPD is thought to be an effect of
severe trauma during early childhood, usually extreme, repetitive physical, sexual, or emotional
abuse.

THE CASE OF BILLY MILLIGAN

William Stanley Milligan known as Billy Milligan was an American citizen born in
Florida on February 14, 1995 and raised in Circleville and Lancaster. He was a criminal or a
victim; an expert actor or so disturbed that his mind fractured into at least 24
personalities. Also, he was the first person in American history to successfully use
multiple-personality disorder as a defense for a violent crime.

FAMILY HISTORY

Billy's biological father committed suicide when Billy was about 4 years old, and ever
since then Billy's mother Dorothy was in and out of relationships. When Billy was 8 years old,
Dorothy married Chalmer. The abuse began soon after the wedding. Chalmer physically abused
Dorothy constantly, while Billy suffered both sexual and physical abuse. Jim (Billy's older
brother) was fortunate enough to escape the abuse along with Kathy (Billy's sister) and Challa
(Chalmer's daughter). Billy, the younger of the two boys, wasn't as fit to do the farm work his
brother could do, so Chalmer saw him as weak and pathetic.
DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY

At age 4, Billy began showing symptoms of MPD. He wanted to play with his younger
sister, Kathy, but his mother never would let him. That's when Christine developed. Christine
was a 3-year-old girl that Billy's mind created to give him someone to play with. Christine is the
first personality that Billy created. From that point on, different personalities were created for
different specific purposes.

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

According to articles, Billy is not a very educated individual. But there is no educational
background ever published about him.

SOCIAL HISTORY

In the late 1970s, Billy Milligan was arrested for committing a series of 3 rapes/robberies
in the Columbus, Ohio area (the victims were abducted from the Ohio State campus and driven
in their cars to Delaware County where they were raped and robbed.)

While in custody awaiting trial, it was determined that Milligan was suffering from
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) and that the crimes were committed by 2 of his alter
personalities: the armed robberies were committed by Ragen, the rapes were committed by
Adalana, a lesbian personality. As a result, he was found not-guilty by reason of insanity.

ECONOMIC HISTORY

At various periods during his life, many people acquired Milligans paintings as part of a
barter arrangement when Billy was suffering financial problems. Sometimes, Billy simply gave
his art away to people who were nice to him. Billys alter personalities were artists, each painting
in his own style.

Tommy (age 16) painted landscapes.

 Allen painted portraits.
Ragen (who was color-blind) would paint and draw in black and white.
Danny (age 14) painted only still lifes.

PSYCHOLOGICAL HISTORY

In the course of preparing his defense, he underwent a psychological examination by Dr.

Willis C. Driscoll, who diagnosed Milligan with acute schizophrenia. He was then examined by
psychologist Dorothy Turner of Southwest Community Mental Health Center in Columbus,
Ohio. During this examination, Turner concluded that Milligan suffered from multiple
personality disorder. Milligan's public defenders, Gary Schweickart and Judy Stevenson, pleaded
an insanity defense, and he was committed "[...] until such time as he regains sanity".

Dissociative Identity Disorder is in the category of Dissociative Disorders under Axis I of

the DSM-IV. The client, Billy, did agree with the diagnosis because it really clarified things for
him. Billy was also suicidal, meaning there is a good chance he was depressed as well. After the
arrest, Billy was placed in an inadequate state hospital where he made no progress. If anything,
things eventually got worse. Dr. Wilber, the world-renowned psychologist who treated Sybil, and
Billy's case managers helped Billy move to Harding Hospital where he met Dr. George Harding
Jr. Dr. Harding explained the treatment he was going to use to fuse the personalities, and in turn,
the personalities explained it to the others so everyone understood.

Milligan was sent to a series of state-run mental hospitals, such as the Athens State
Hospital, where, by his report, he received very little help. While he was in these hospitals,
Milligan reported having ten different personalities. These ten were the only ones known to
psychologists. Later on an additional 14 personalities, labeled "The Undesirables", were
discovered. Among the first ten were: Arthur, a prim and proper Englishman; Allen, a
manipulator; Tommy, a con artist; Ragen Vadascovinich, a Yugoslavian communist who Milligan
claimed had committed the robberies in a kind of Robin Hood spirit; and Adalana, a 19-year-
old lesbian who craved affection and who had allegedly committed the rapes.[7]

Milligan received treatment from psychiatrist David Caul, who diagnosed the additional
fourteen personalities.
DISCUSSION

In this case study, the abuse done to Billy is enough to explain how he developed such a
damaging disorder, since 97% of individuals with MPD are either physically or sexually abused
during their early years. And as far as the other institutions that failed in helping Billy, they just
prove that mistreating and abusing those who suffer from MPD just makes the situation worse.
The best way to help MPD patients is to fuse their personalities together and only then will there
be any chances of improvements. Also, person like Billy with MPD can be acquitted of a major
crime by the reason of insanity, claiming that alternate personalities committed the crime without
the person being aware of it.

REFERENCES

1. Abnormal Psychology in the Minds of Billy Milligan. Retrieved from

http://www.123helpme.com/abnormal-psychology-in-the-minds-of-billy-milligan-
view.asp?id=162603
2. Billy Milligan Paintings What Are They Worth?. Retrieved from
http://billymilliganpaintings.org/

3. Billy Milligan. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Milligan#cite_note-

CD2007-10-28-1

4. Philips, J. (2007). 30 Years Later, Multiple-Personality Case Still Fascinates. Retrieved

from http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2007/10/28/BILLY.ART_ART_10-
28-07_A1_EV89AGB.html