An unusual legal case in Australia has reignited the debated about Multiple Personality Disorder aka Dissociative Identity Disorder.

A 49-year-old woman filed charges against her father, whom she says viciously abused her in every manner possible during her childhood. That, unfortunately, is not uncommon, but her coping mechanism is quite rare: She claims to have 2,500 separate and distinct personalities.

Six of the personalities gave testimony during the trial, according to her, recounting different incidents that could only be recalled by that personality and was unknown to the others.

While I have the utmost sympathy and compassion for this victim, I don’t believe it’s possible to have that many personalities in one body and I’m very surprised that a psychiatrist determined that she was well enough to be in court.

During the 80’s and early 90’s, Multiple Personality Disorder was being “diagnosed” in record numbers. I can remember watching it on Oprah and One Life to Live featured a main character who was in a Vikki/Nikki split storyline. And, of course, it goes back much further, with the infamous Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde novel.

Do I think it’s possible that someone who has experienced terrible trauma in early childhood could have a split personality? Yes, in rare cases, it could happen. But to claim 2,500? That’s just junk science.

Victims deserve justice for their suffering. Anyone who has been wronged should go to the law and should be able to sue, provided there’s credible evidence. With this particular victim, it’s hard to believe she is sane. After watching a 40 minute interview on 60 Minutes Australia, it’s obvious to me that she is in terrible pain and appears confused, going in and out of “personalities” at rapid speed, without any trigger to explain it.

Very sad case, but in the end, the father pled guilty and received a long sentence. He’s where he needs to be. The victim, however, is not being helped by doctors who are playing a pretending game. She needs real care to deal with the abuse, not pseudo-science that makes headlines.