Just as the prevalence of incest and child sexual abuse was a well-kept secret until recently, the phenomenon of multiple personality disorder (MPD) - recently re-labelled dissociative identity disorder DID] - has been minimized. In her practice as a psychologist, Margo Rivera has found this to be no coincidence.

Confirming that the root of most severe dissociative conditions lies in severe trauma, most commonly child abuse, Rivera first discusses the general historical and social contexts of dissociation and proceeds through clinical theory, case vignettes, and recorded personal...