Dissociative Identity Disorder Research Project

Project constructed by
Joshua L. DOrazio

Critical Review
Disturbed Voices
Lyrics:
So, are you breathing

No, no
Are you breathing
So, are you breathing
No
[x2]
Wake up, are you alive
Will you listen to me
I'm gonna talk about some freaky shit now
Someone is gonna die
When you listen to me
Let the living die, Let the living die
(say)
[Chorus:]
Are you breathing, no?
Do the wicked see you?
You still breathing?
You're making me known
Are you breathing, no?
Do the wicked see you?
You still breathing?
[x2]
What's up? I wonder why?
Do you listen to me?
I'm gonna make you do some freaky shit now
Insane, you're gonna die
When you listen to me
Let the living die, let the living die
(say)
[Chorus]
Can't you imagine how good going through this will make you feel?
I promise, no one will ever know
There will be no chance of you getting caught
They never loved you anyway
So come on, be a man
And do what you are compelled to do Save Me God, God [x10]
I can hear the voice But I don't want to listen
Strap me down and tell me I'll be alright
I can feel the subliminal need To be one with the voice
And make everything alright
I can hear the voice But I don't want to listen
Strap me down and tell me I'll be alright
I can feel the subliminal need To be one with the voice

And make everything alright

[Chorus]
So, are you breathing? So, do you breathe no, no?
So, are you breathing? So, do you breathe no?
https://youtu.be/pKlg3jYMwRU

Review:
Dissociative Identity Disorder is a mental illness that involves severe dissociation. A
mental process which the patients is extremely disconnected to his/her own thoughts, emotions,
memories, actions, and even his/hertheir sense of identity. Dissociative Identity Disorder is
caused from traumatic experiences usually related to extremely stressful and traumatic situations
like combat, sexual abuse, and child abuse. D.I.D. patients have difficulties remembering past
events, identifying who they are as an individual, tend to have difficulty expressing themselves.
When the other personalities take over the individual, the patient ends up blacking out, making
it hard for them to recall actions and events due to this black out stage.
In the video, a white collar worker enters an elevator with other co workers. He is
wearing a headset listening to the song Voices. As the elevator door closes the person listening
to the music, his face changes into the lead singer's face showing the beginning of D.I.D. the
video then later cuts to the white collared worker working at his desk when he approached by
two bullies who trash his office and give him a rough time. After the bullies leave the cubicle
the worker puts his headphones back on and imagines tying tieing up the bullies and watching
them cry for help as he watches close by. Then cuts to another scene where the boss traps the
young man in a cubicle and begins to harass, hit, and undermine the worker and soon enough a
voice appears whispering in the worker's ear telling him No one will ever know, no one loved
you anyway. The worker listens to the voice and begins to mess his hair up and starts to undress
from his suit attire into a tank top and rocker attire. He then goes to an underground club where
the band is playing and lets the voice over come him and goes into the club and becomes part of
the crowd just like everyone did. This video gives a negative stigma towards people with
Dissociative Identity Disorder. That everyone with this disorder is dangerous and isnt normal.
In the video the person with the disorder has a violent imagination which isnt true in all cases of
D.I.D. In some cases patients with D.I.D. have other personalities that pertain different emotions
like excessive sadness, or even a frantic, scared personality. The purpose of these personalities is
to help the individual block previous traumatic memories. In the video, they portray it as a
violent disorder which makes people envision torture or pain against other people. This adds to
the negative stigma of Dissociative Identity Disorder. This music video gives a dark view on
Dissociative Identity Disorder but allows the viewer to visualize what it can be like for people
with D.I.D.

Photo faces:
Joker
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Gotham-City-Mugshots-Joker-383000750
Scarecrow
Riddler
Bane:

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Gotham-City-Mugshots-Scarecrow-384606021
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Gotham-City-Mugshots-Riddler-386602193

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Gotham-City-Mugshots-Bane-429977748

Comments:

Interview Script:

This scene takes place in an insane asylum where the warden is interviewing patients to
see if they should be released from the asylum, go into a rehabilitation program to help the
patient's disorder, go back to their cell and must be subjected to treatments to help them become
cured. The interrogation room is a dark green colored room with a metal table and two metal
chairs. One for the interviewer and the other for the interviewee. The warden is sitting in the
chair farthest from the door to see the patients come in when they are escorted by security. On
the table is a file filled with documents and papers. The rooms door is made out of a thick steel
with a little window in the top to see each subject's face before they enter the room. There is a
single lamp in the room, dangling from the ceiling. The lamp is old fashioned giving off a dirty
tinted light in the room. Only lighting the table and the warden's face. The corners of the room
are dark and unseeable like a black abyss.
(There is a knock on the door and the door swings open. Two husky security officers drag
a patient into the room. The patient enters the room walking in chains around his hands and feet.
The security guards then sit him down at the table and back up to the door. They close the door
and stand guard inside the room. The patients is slouched over in the chair looking at the table
with a blank expression)
Warden: Good morning Subject 221, or should I call you Francis, like what your mother calls
you?
Patient: (No response)
Warden: Ill be calling you by Francis throughout this interview, because that is your real name
and I want to talk and see the real you, Francis.
Patient: (No response. Keeps staring at the metallic table top)
Warden: Francis, if you want to leave this place and be with your mother again you are going to
have to talk to me. Youre going to have to answer the questions so I can help get you back into
society and see your mother again.
Francis: (Shrugs his shoulders showing acknowledgement of the warden's response)
Warden: Awesome. Here we go Francis. Why are you here Francis? Why did your mother drop
you off on our doorstep a month ago?
Francis: (No response)
(There is a quiet pause in the room)
Warden: (Sighs) Francis. Im trying to help you my boy. If you say nothing I wont be able to
help you. Youll be subjected to treatment that you may not even need but since I dont know
why youre here I cant give you the right help. Francis, this is the last time. Why are you here in
my facility?
Francis: (there is a long pause. He looks up into the warden's eyes and talks with a submissive
voice) I am here because Jimmy couldnt control his temper Mother got angrier than usual and
began hitting me again and Jimmy couldnt control his temper. He couldnt stand by and watch
me suffer. So he fought back. He protected me.

Warden: Whos Jimmy? Is Jimmy your friend? Your brother?

Francis: Jimmy has been with me ever since it started...
Warden: Since what started?
Francis: (No response)
Warden: Francis? When what started?
Francis: (No response)
Warden: Francis! When what started?
(Francis fidgets in his chair. The sound of his chains rings through the room. He head dips down
in silence and within moments. His head snaps back up and his posture and persona seem
different. He stood up right in his chair, direct eye contact, and seemed to have a sense of anger)
Francis: What did she do to Francis? What did she do? Well let me tell you good sir! It wasnt
her that did the unspeakable things to Francis. No no. It wasnt her. It was his weak and cowardly
father.
Warden: Francis? You okay?
Francis: Francis isnt here. He needed some rest. Now its just you and me warden. You have
nothing to fear. Just two guys having a conversation.
Warden: Who are you?
Francis: Didnt you hear? Im Jimmy... Franciss guardian angel.
Warden: Thats right. I remember now. (Begins going through Francis file on the table) Francis
told us about you awhile ago in a previous interview.
Francis: That boy never knows when to keep his mouth shut. Just tells everyone who asks. Hes
weak, incompetent, a child! Thats why I showed up. To help protect him from the horrors of his
life.
Warden: (Clicks his pen and pulls out a blank piece of paper from Francis file) Tell me Jimmy.
How did you come to be? Why did you come into Franciss life?
Francis: I came into his life because of his father.
Warden: Why his father specifically?
Francis: His father was a drinker. He lived a miserable existence. He worked low paying blue
collar jobs and barely made enough money to help support Francis, mom, and I. Mom tried to
help him out by being a cashier at a small convenience store. Anyway Hes angry when hes
drunk. Lets out all of his emotions in a storm of anger and beatings. One night, he came home
from the bar. Like usual. He walked into the door and mother sent him to bed to sleep it off. Well
that night, he didnt seem like that... So he grabs her and brings her real close to him, just enough
to smell the gin on his breath. He pulls her in close and just holds her close. She looks into his
eyes and senses that something was different about him. He sets her back down onto the ground
and there is complete silence. For a moment it was finally peaceful in our house. But then he
punches her with such force her head cracked the plaster in the wall. As her unconscious body
slid down the wall, a reddish tint of her blood appeared around the crack the wall and began to
form a puddle on the hardwood floor. (cynical laugh)
Warden: So he just hit your mother? That's it?

Francis: No you impatient buffoon! Why dont you just sit there, shut up and write your notes
with that fate deciding pen. Okay?
Warden: Struck a nerve, Francis? (smirks)
Francis: Im not Francis! You idiot! (pauses) Just trying to get a rise out of me arent you
Warden?
Warden: No Jimmy. Just finish your story. Where do you come into the story?
Francis: Well. Before I was rudely interrupted As my loving mother had her head bashed
against the wall. Francis locked himself in his room. Francis was usually took the brunt of his
father's drunken rages. Francis hid under his bed while he heard his door being broken down.
After minutes of banging against the bedroom door. I came into Franciss life. He was so scared.
I found him in tears hiding under his bed, begging for aid. So I convinced him that I was his
guardian angel. I told him I could resolve the situation. So what I did may shock you because this
completely changed everything for Francis. It was quite simple actually. I simply crawled out
from under the bed. (begins to act out event with his hands) Wiped Franciss childish tears from
his eyes. Grabbed one of his father's bottles laying in Franciss room. I unlocked the door. I
opened it. And that stupid brute charged into the room fists clenched and ready to beat him. I
smashed the bottle against his fat head and watched the shards of glass fly across the room.
Warden: What happened after that Jim?
Francis: Jimmy. Dont cut my name short. What do you think I did? I helped Francis get his
father out of his room. I made him stronger. Do you know how weak he was? I saved him. In that
moment he finally felt safe. At peace. I left him in his tranquility. That boy deserved to have
some peace in his life. So, I left him alone. Let him have his peace.
Warden: Thats very courteous of you Jimmy. You did a good job on taking care of him. (Writes
in his file)
Francis: (Twitches in his seat and mutters sounds)
Warden: Jimmy?... Jimmy? What are you doing?
Francis: (In a timid voice) Whos Jimmy? Where was I? Where am I?
Warden: Francis?
Francis: Yes? Warden? What was I doing?
Warden: You dont remember?
Francis: Remember what?
Warden: Do you know a Jimmy?
Francis: Jimmy? Ive never actually seen him but I can hear him.
Warden: Francis. Are you okay?
Francis: (Shivering and hesitantly) Yes Warden Im okay. Its just...
Warden: What Francis? Im here to help you, remember?
Francis: Jimmy is telling me to be quiet. I have to listen to him. Hes my guardian angel. Hes
protected me from so much. Hes had my back.
Warden: Jimmys actions are why you are here Francis Your mother has dealt with the both of
you for years trying to make you better and she has given up on hope. Shes had enough. She

wants you to get better. She wants Jimmy out of the picture Francis. She feels threatened by him.
Afraid hes going to do something to her.
Francis: Shes got nothing to fear Warden! Jimmy is my friend. He protects me.
Warden: Francis. Do you know what hes done to her? Do you know the toll he is taking on her?
Francis: No
Warden: She wants HER son back. She wants you, Francis. Not Jimmy. Shes appreciative of
what hes done to protect you. But he's been threatening her lately. Hes over protective of you
Francis.
Francis: How is she being threatened?
Warden: (Looks at his paper) You dont remember Francis?
Francis: I dont. When he takes over I black out. I wake up after the mess. I live with the
consequences of his actions. He constantly reassures me its for the best but since Ive ended up
here, Im starting to second guess his guidance.
Warden: Francis What happened to your father after Jimmy took care of him?
Francis: I uhhh. I remember waking up from my bed. It was one of the most peaceful rests I had
in a long time. But I woke up and found my father on the floor in a pool of blood. I screamed for
my mother but she didnt respond. I walked over to him and felt his pulse. He was still alive but
his pulse was very faint. I looked down the hallway corridor and saw my mom on the floor
unconscious so I did what any kid at the time would do. I called for help. I ran to the phone and
dialed 911.
Warden: Then what happened?
Francis: EMTs and first responders came and brought my father to the hospital.
Warden: (Shuffles through his papers) Ah. I see here. I have the police report right here. He had
a concussion and cuts all over his scalp. It states he that if he was left on that floor any longer he
wouldve died. Doctors had to conduct surgery to relieve the pressure in his cranium. Francis.
This was very serious. Mustve been difficult for you.
Francis: Ahhhhhh (low grumbling) Not again. (loud gasp of breath)
Warden: Francis? Francis?! Whats wrong?!
Francis: (Shaking in his seat)
Warden: Francis?! Is it Jimmy again? Stay with me son!
Francis: Who the hell is Jimmy?
Warden: Francis?
Francis: Who?
Warden: Francis?
Francis: Im not Francis. Francis is busy right now.
Warden: Who are you then? (Clicks pen and prepares to write in the file)
Francis: Im Arthur. Who are you? (Tries to offer a handshake but is constricted due to the
chains)
Warden: Im the Warden of this great facility. So tell me Arthur. Do you care about Francis?

Francis: I do very much so. I try to help him to the best of my ability. I come into his life when
he needs someone to help him get what he wants. Im basically his smart side because the poor
guy cant think when hes stressed.
Warden: What does Francis want?
Francis: He wants to be free Warden. He wants to be left alone. He wants to be normal, just like
everyone else. He wants his own identity, his own voice. He doesnt want me and Jimmy and the
others talking for him. He wants to break through and be himself.
Warden: You know he cant be free Arthur? Right now hes a danger to everyone, hes
unpredictable.
Francis: Thats why we want him to go through your program Warden. Why do you think hes
here?
Warden: Wait. What?
Francis:We want the best for Francis. We really do. We all came together to discuss Franciss
future.
Warden: Its hard for me to give Francis his freedom with all of you fighting for dominance
inside his head. Popping out whenever you may please leaving him powerless in his own body.
Francis:We understand what we have been doing to the poor kid. We know what we must do to
achieve the best for him. After all, we are all here to help him. So Warden. What can you do to
help my pal, Francis?
Warden: Hmmmmm. (Moves back in his chair thinking critically on what to make of the
situation) There is not a whole lot of study and research on Franciss condition.
Francis: There's a condition for people like him? For us?
Warden: Yes. Its called Dissociative Identity Disorder or Multiple personality disorder. Its a
serious mental illness with no cure as we speak. But there are treatments that can help Francis
and keep you guys in line.
Francis: Warden. We have all agreed that we want the best for him. We will go through hell for
him. He has dealt with our occasions for the majority of his life. Its time for us to leave him and
let him grow into his own identity.
Warden: I see. Thats very noble of you guys to think for the betterment of Francis.
Francis: We like to think so.
Warden: I only have one option for you sadly. You will be going through vigorous therapy.
Francis: What kind of therapy Warden?
Warden: (Clicks pen) Im going to need your signature on the dotted line. (Pushes an official
document toward Francis)
Francis: What is he signing?
Warden: You want the best for him. Sign the paper and hes good as cured.
Francis:(Holds the pen in his hand) This isnt about me. This is for Francis. We all agreed. We
want him to be normal again and that's what we are going to do. (signs the paper)
Warden: Thank you Arthur. You dedication and devotion to your friend will be the salvation for
Francis.(motions to the security guards)
Francis:What is happening? Warden?

Warden: Nothing Arthur. Just go with the men.

Francis: No! What is going to happen?! What did we sign?!
Warden: Easy there son. Relax. These nice gentlemen are going to take you to your cell where I
will go over your case and find the most suitable treatment for Francis.
Francis: (Twitches and shakes in his chains) No! You tell me! Tell me now!
Warden: Who is this if I may ask?
Francis: Its Jimmy again Warden. What did Arthur sign?!
Warden: He just signed for me to do whatever I can to legally cure Francis.
Francis: What does that entail?
Warden: Whatever treatment we have available. I hear electroshock therapy helps patients very
much. It seems to have nullifying results. (Smirks)
Francis:Youre gonna kill us! Kill him!
Warden: Im doing what I need to do to help Francis. Guards take him to his cell.
Francis: Why? Why?! They are in my head! They arent helping me. This isnt what I want! I
need them! WHy would you do this to me?! Its me Francis!
Warden: Sorry Francis. But this is for your own good.
Francis: Nooooooo!
(Francis is forcibly dragged out of the room to his cell, while the Warden looks one more time at
his folder and prepares for the next patient to be interviewed.)

Joshua DOrazio
Mr. Wetmore
English 12
3 March, 2016
This was a project based of the research I conducted on the mental illness of Dissociative
Identity Disorder. My goals for this project was to accurately portray the illness without the
stigma created by the media and entertainment. In the media, this illness is portrayed as a very
violent and dangerous condition. This stigma is shown through shows like Criminal Minds,
Hawaii Five O and other criminal justice shows. they portray the individual as a murderer with
no emotions and is in complete control of his identity. This is hardly the case. In reality the
individual is subjected to the voices in his head and whenever the voices take over, the individual

loses his identity and has a difficult time identifying themselves as a person. Another goal I had
while completing this assignment was for viewers and readers to feel the pain and agony the
people feel with the illness. I want people to wonder what's it's like to completely lose yourself
within yourself. That they have no control over their alternate personalities and have to deal with
the repercussions of the personalities. Ive chosen to portray Dissociative Identity Disorder
through three pieces. A critical review, a photograph, and a scripted interview. All of these deal
with D.I.D. in excruciating detail. The review analyzes the song Voices by Disturbed, on the
media's stigma of D.I.D. In the review I discuss how the stigma gives the illness a harsh image
and that the video does not accurately portray the disorder. The photo shows a person dealing
with D.I.D. The batman villains Joker, Bane, Scarecrow, and the Riddler. Each villain represents
different personalities patients with D.I.D. can have. The Joker represents craziness and insanity
in the individual, the Scarecrow represents isolation and fear of oneself, Bane stands for the rage
and aggressive behaviors, and the Riddler represents wittiness and gives off a persona of great
intellect to disguise the disorder to the public. Also, in the picture the villains are getting their
mugshots taking meaning they are in a prison. This was purposely chosen to show that the
personalities are trapped within the individual, like a prison. The personalities have no way out
and are being contained in the individual because as of right now there is no cure for this
disorder. For my third piece, I wrote a scripted play/interview that shows what patients with
D.I.D. behave and suffer from.
I put forth a lot of effort towards this project. I have done constant revision,
brainstorming, and planning to try to accurately portray D.I.D. I have participated in the group
revision circle giving and receiving feedback from my colleagues. I believe my effort shows
through the tremendous depth I wrote in my scripted play due to its length and effort I put into
it. Also, the picture that portrays the mental illness should be critically review by viewers to help
explore their thoughts on the disease and on the visual. I have learned a great amount of
information from completing this project. When I began this project I knew little to no
information on this illness. I specifically chose this illness due to its constant appearance in
media and entertainment. I wanted to grasp an intellectual view on the disease and become an
expert on the topic of my research. I know a great deal of information on this illness and Im
glad I have chosen this illness for my project. I had an enjoyable experience researching this
project. I have learned so much from my research and now have a good understanding of
Dissociative Identity Disorder. I had a pleasureable experience thinking of ways how I can
portray this illness through pieces of literature and art.