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'''Multiple personality disorder''', or simply multiple personalities, is a psychological condition in which an individual exhibits two or more distinct personalities, often with separate [[memory|memories]] and periods of control over the body.
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'''Multiple personality disorder''', or simply multiple personalities, is a psychological condition in which an individual exhibits two or more distinct personalities, often with separate [[memory|memories]] and periods of control over the body.
 
   
 
In [[2266]], a [[transporter]] malfunction divided [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk]] into two separate physical individuals, each with a certain set of character traits: one gentle but indecisive, the other assertive but brutal. The compassionate Kirk has to realize that the "wolf" is necessary to his functioning as a [[starship]] [[captain]]. The two aspects when "integrated" back into a single body help to balance and temper one another. ({{TOS|The Enemy Within}})
Several ''Star Trek'' episodes and some fan fiction have touched on the concept of multiple or aspected personalities.
 
   
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The [[Kurlan]] people believed that each individual was a community of persons, each with its own voice, desires and outlook. A [[Kurlan naiskos]] was a ceramic statue of a person which opened to reveal many smaller figures inside. ({{TNG|The Chase}})
In [[The Enemy Within]], a transporter malfunction divides Captain Kirk into two separate physical individuals, each with a certain set of character traits; one gentle but indecisive, the other assertive but brutal. The compassionate Kirk has to realize that the "wolf" is necessary to his functioning as a starship captain. The two aspects when "integrated" back into a single body help to balance and temper one another.
 
   
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When the ''Enterprise'' enountered a huge archive from the [[D'Arsay]] system, [[Data]] was affected by the archive's sensor beams and begins to display several archetypal personalities from D'Arsay mythology. He said later that there were actually thousands of people in his mind. ({{TNG|Masks}})
This idea is also explored in [[Tuvix]], in which aspects of both [[Tuvok]]'s and [[Neelix]]'s personalities combine together when (after another transporter problem) their bodies merge into a single individual. "Tuvix" feels that he is a unique individual and wants to stay as he is, and it is only with much persuasion on the part of [[Janeway]] that Tuvix agrees to be re-differentiated.
 
   
 
In [[2372]], aspects of both [[Tuvok]]'s and [[Neelix]]'s personalities were combined together when, after another transporter error, their bodies were merged into a single individual called "[[Tuvix]]". "Tuvix" feels that he is a unique individual and wants to stay as he is, and it is only with the intervention [[Kathryn Janeway]] that Tuvix are separated again. ({{VOY|Tuvix}})
In Diane Duane's novel ''Spock's World'', Lt. Meshav, a [[Sulamid]], is described as having "an octocameral brain, which meant s/he might manifest up to eight personalities. S/he tried to restrain herself from doing this too often, citing (as Jim had heard it put it) 'pity for the poor single-mindeds.' All the same, a poker game with Meshav was an interesting experience, especially considering that one personality was completely capable of hiding the contents of one's hand from all the others...not to mention from any opponent."
 
   
In [[Equilibrium]], [[Jadzia Dax]] struggles with what appear to be the repressed memories of Joran, one of the previous (unauthorized) hosts of her [[Trill]] symbiont. She experiences his memories when triggered by a particular piece of music, and manifests certain of this host's personality traits. Some viewers at the time this episode was first aired in [[1994]] observed that this episode was an attempt to portray then-popular notions about multiple personality as a form of [[post-traumatic stress disorder]].
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[[Jadzia Dax]] struggled with what appeared to be the repressed memories of [[Joran Dax]], one of the previous (unauthorized) hosts of her [[Trill symbiont]]. She experienced his memories when triggered by a particular piece of [[music]] and manifested certain aspects of his personality traits. ({{DS9|Equilibrium}})
   
In [[Facets]], Jadzia participates in a ceremony in which the spirits of former hosts of her Trill symbiont are temporarily channeled by Kira, O'Brien and the others. The process of becoming accustomed to having more than one self is portrayed in a more normal fashion in this episode, even to the point of portraying [[Curzon Dax]] and [[Odo]] as liking their co-existence so much they consider staying that way.
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Later, Jadzia participated in a ceremony in which the spirits of former hosts of her Trill symbiont are temporarily channeled by her fellow [[Deep Space 9]] crewmembers. [[Curzon Dax]] and [[Odo]] liked their co-existence so much they consider staying that way. ({{DS9|Facets}})
   
In [[2375]], [[Seven of Nine]] experienced something akin to multiple personality disorder when a malfunctioning [[Borg]] [[vinculum]] tapped into her [[cortical implant]] and caused the [[neural pattern]]s of [[assimilation|assimilated]] individuals to emerge. The symptoms worsened until she began to show a different personality every few seconds, causing severe stress on her [[cerebral cortex]] and threatening her life. The crew of the [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']] was able to save her life by deactivating the vinculum. ({{VOY|Infinite Regress}})
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In [[2375]], [[Seven of Nine]] experienced something akin to multiple personality disorder when a malfunctioning [[Borg]] [[vinculum]] tapped into her [[cortical implant]] and caused the [[neural pattern]]s of [[assimilation|assimilated]] individuals to emerge. The symptoms worsened until she began to show a different personality every few seconds, causing severe stress on her [[cerebral cortex]] and threatening her life. The crew of the {{USS|Voyager}} was able to save her life by deactivating the vinculum. ({{VOY|Infinite Regress}})
[[Category:Medical conditions]]
 
   
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== Apocrypha ==
The comic-book story [[Perchance to Dream]] involves several personalities harbored by [[Jean-Luc Picard]] in addition to his own; [[Sarek]], [[Kamin]] and [[Locutus of Borg]].
 
 
In [[Diane Duane]]'s novel ''[[Spock's World]]'', Lt. Meshav, a Sulamid, is described as having "''an octocameral brain, which meant s/he might manifest up to eight personalities. S/he tried to restrain herself from doing this too often, citing (as Jim had heard it put it) 'pity for the poor single-mindeds.' All the same, a poker game with Meshav was an interesting experience, especially considering that one personality was completely capable of hiding the contents of one's hand from all the others... not to mention from any opponent.''"
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The comic-book story "[[Perchance to Dream]]" involves several personalities harbored by [[Jean-Luc Picard]] in addition to his own; [[Sarek]], [[Kamin]] and [[Locutus of Borg]].
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== External link ==
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* {{wikipedia}}
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[[de:Multiple Persönlichkeitsstörung]]
 
[[Category:Medical conditions]]

Revision as of 00:46, 24 February 2011

Multiple personality disorder, or simply multiple personalities, is a psychological condition in which an individual exhibits two or more distinct personalities, often with separate memories and periods of control over the body.

In 2266, a transporter malfunction divided Captain James T. Kirk into two separate physical individuals, each with a certain set of character traits: one gentle but indecisive, the other assertive but brutal. The compassionate Kirk has to realize that the "wolf" is necessary to his functioning as a starship captain. The two aspects when "integrated" back into a single body help to balance and temper one another. (TOS: "The Enemy Within")

The Kurlan people believed that each individual was a community of persons, each with its own voice, desires and outlook. A Kurlan naiskos was a ceramic statue of a person which opened to reveal many smaller figures inside. (TNG: "The Chase")

When the Enterprise enountered a huge archive from the D'Arsay system, Data was affected by the archive's sensor beams and begins to display several archetypal personalities from D'Arsay mythology. He said later that there were actually thousands of people in his mind. (TNG: "Masks")

In 2372, aspects of both Tuvok's and Neelix's personalities were combined together when, after another transporter error, their bodies were merged into a single individual called "Tuvix". "Tuvix" feels that he is a unique individual and wants to stay as he is, and it is only with the intervention Kathryn Janeway that Tuvix are separated again. (VOY: "Tuvix")

Jadzia Dax struggled with what appeared to be the repressed memories of Joran Dax, one of the previous (unauthorized) hosts of her Trill symbiont. She experienced his memories when triggered by a particular piece of music and manifested certain aspects of his personality traits. (DS9: "Equilibrium")

Later, Jadzia participated in a ceremony in which the spirits of former hosts of her Trill symbiont are temporarily channeled by her fellow Deep Space 9 crewmembers. Curzon Dax and Odo liked their co-existence so much they consider staying that way. (DS9: "Facets")

In 2375, Seven of Nine experienced something akin to multiple personality disorder when a malfunctioning Borg vinculum tapped into her cortical implant and caused the neural patterns of assimilated individuals to emerge. The symptoms worsened until she began to show a different personality every few seconds, causing severe stress on her cerebral cortex and threatening her life. The crew of the USS Voyager was able to save her life by deactivating the vinculum. (VOY: "Infinite Regress")

Apocrypha

In Diane Duane's novel Spock's World, Lt. Meshav, a Sulamid, is described as having "an octocameral brain, which meant s/he might manifest up to eight personalities. S/he tried to restrain herself from doing this too often, citing (as Jim had heard it put it) 'pity for the poor single-mindeds.' All the same, a poker game with Meshav was an interesting experience, especially considering that one personality was completely capable of hiding the contents of one's hand from all the others... not to mention from any opponent."

The comic-book story "Perchance to Dream" involves several personalities harbored by Jean-Luc Picard in addition to his own; Sarek, Kamin and Locutus of Borg.

External link