EXPLOration of Processes Involved in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) (EXPLO-DID)

EXPLOration Des Processus à l'Origine du Trouble Dissociatif de l'Identité (TDI)(EXPLOTDI)

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a psychological condition in which a person may feel as though they have multiple distinct personalities or identities. Today, this disorder is being discussed more and more, particularly among young people, partly due to its visibility on social media. However, researchers have observed that some individuals may mimic or exaggerate the symptoms, which makes it more difficult to understand the disorder.

The goal of this study is therefore to better understand:

• in which situations these identity shifts occur
• what people feel at that moment
• and what happens next To do this, researchers will interview approximately 60 people, some with a diagnosed DID and others exhibiting simulated symptoms.

Participants will complete questionnaires and take part in an interview. The researchers will analyze:

• the situations that trigger the changes
• the associated thoughts and emotions
• the behaviors
• the consequences of these episodes

The ultimate goal is to better understand this disorder in order to:

• improve care
• and better distinguish between genuine cases and feigned ones

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire and Physical Exam; Other: Interview

Detailed Description

This study falls within the field of dissociative disorders, and more specifically dissociative identity disorder (DID), whose clinical validity and mechanisms remain controversial, particularly due to the reported frequency of feigned symptoms.

Objective The primary objective is to identify the functional determinants of episodes of personality state change, whether genuine or feigned, within the framework of cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT).

The analysis is based on the SORC functional model:

• S (Stimuli): triggering situations
• O (Organism): cognitions, emotions, sensations, imagery
• R (Response): operant behaviors
• C (Consequences): short- and long-term effects Methodology An exploratory qualitative approach will be used, aimed at generating hypotheses for subsequent quantitative research.

Participants

• N ≈ 60

  • 30 diagnosed with TDI
  • 30 simulated TDI
• Multicenter recruitment
• Inclusion: ≥ 18 years old, currently undergoing therapy Procedure

Participants will complete:

• sociodemographic questionnaires

• standardized scales:

  • dissociation (sDIS-Q)
  • dissociative beliefs (DSB)
  • knowledge about dissociation (KADS)
  • post-traumatic symptoms Then, a semi-structured qualitative interview will be conducted and recorded. Analysis
• Thematic analysis of interviews
• Data saturation approach
• Cross-coding by raters Scientific objectives
• Clarify the mechanisms of TDI
• Identify functional patterns of dissociative episodes
• Explore differences between genuine and feigned symptoms
• Improve diagnostic validity and therapeutic interventions

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• France
  • Carvin, France
    • Recruiting
    • Sophie Marek's Practice
    • Contact: Marek; Phone Number: 003006 30 72 98 82; Email: sophie.marek@univ-lille.fr
    • Principal Investigator: Sophie Marek, psychologist
  • Chambray-lès-Tours, France
    • Recruiting
    • Online Consultation Cabinet
    • Contact: Elorriaga; Phone Number: 003306 52 59 38 45; Email: celorriaga@proton.me
    • Principal Investigator: Cécile Elorriaga, psychologist
  • Lille, France, 59800
    • Recruiting
    • Online Consultation Cabinet - Alexis VANCAPPEL,
    • Contact: VANCAPPEL; Phone Number: 00336 61 26 36 02; Email: alexis.vancappel@univ-lille.fr
    • Principal Investigator: Alexis VANCAPPEL, PhD
  • Tours, France
    • Recruiting
    • Centre Régional du Psychotraumatisme
    • Contact: El-Hage; Phone Number: 0033 02 47 47 71 11; Email: wissam.elhage@univ-tours.fr
    • Principal Investigator: William El-Hage, Dr, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

People who report suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who report having Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
• At least 18 years old
• Currently receiving treatment from a therapist (psychologist or psychiatrist)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals under guardianship or court-ordered protection

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Patients; patients diagnosticated with DDI or simulating DDI	Other: Questionnaire and Physical Exam; 5 standardized assessment tools measuring, respectively, dissociation (sDIS-Q; Vancappel, Chkili, et al., 2025), beliefs about dissociation (DSB; Vancappel et al., 2023), knowledge and skills related to dissociation (KADS; Vancappel, Chami, et al., 2025), psychotrauma (Ashbaugh et al., 2016), and dissociation simulation.; Other: Interview; qualitative interview with the therapist they are already seeing
Patients' families and loved ones; the patients' families and loved ones	Other: Questionnaire and Physical Exam; 5 standardized assessment tools measuring, respectively, dissociation (sDIS-Q; Vancappel, Chkili, et al., 2025), beliefs about dissociation (DSB; Vancappel et al., 2023), knowledge and skills related to dissociation (KADS; Vancappel, Chami, et al., 2025), psychotrauma (Ashbaugh et al., 2016), and dissociation simulation.; Other: Interview; qualitative interview with the therapist they are already seeing

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dissociative symptoms	Questionnaire	The assessment will be conducted in a single session after informed consent has been obtained.
Beliefs about dissociation	Questionnaire	The assessment will be conducted in a single session after informed consent has been obtained.
Skills and knowledge regarding dissociation	Questionnaire	The assessment will be conducted in a single session after informed consent has been obtained.
Psychotraumatic symptoms	Questionnaire	The assessment will be conducted in a single session after informed consent has been obtained.
How the TDI Works	Qualitative interview	The assessment will be conducted in a single session after informed consent has been obtained.
Simulation	Qualitative interview	The assessment will be conducted in a single session after informed consent has been obtained.
Dissociative symptoms	Qualitative interview	The assessment will be conducted in a single session after informed consent has been obtained.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lille University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 4, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 10, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Dissociative Disorders; Dissociative Identity Disorder; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Investigative Techniques; Epidemiologic Methods; Therapeutics; Data Collection; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Public Health; Environment and Public Health; Behavior Control; Immobilization; Interviews as Topic; Surveys and Questionnaires; Restraint, Physical
• Other Study ID Numbers: D2025-6; 2025-A02614-45 (Other Identifier: CPP)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No