PLoS One November 2012 PMID 22768068

Fact or factitious? A psychobiological study of authentic and simulated dissociative identity states.

A A T S Reinders, Antoon T M Willemsen, Herry P J Vos, Johan A den Boer, Ellert R S Nijenhuis

Mentions

42
Peak: 3 in May 2020
across 6 sources since Oct 2019

Extended reach

116,073
potential audience

Total likes

1,963

Video views

102,407

Mentions per month

Oct 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter12 posts
  • News11 articles
  • Facebook8 posts
  • YouTube6 videos
  • Blogs3 articles
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions demonstrate a strong interest in the neurobiological evidence presented, with multiple posts referencing specific studies and citing neuroimaging techniques, reflecting both curiosity and a desire for scientific validation. The tone varies from enthusiastic support emphasizing the authenticity of DID, to some skepticism about methods, illustrating a nuanced engagement with the research's implications and validity.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussions acknowledge the validity of the research, emphasizing neurobiological evidence supporting authentic DID states.

InterestHigh interest

Posts are highly focused on the scientific findings and debates about trauma versus suggestibility theories, showing strong engagement.

EngagementHigh engagement

Discussions include references to specific studies, methods, and potential applications like neuroimaging, indicating in-depth involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest that the research could influence clinical understanding and diagnostic approaches, although some comments are more speculative.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates whether dissociative identity states in individuals with DID are authentic mental states or are simply induced by roleplaying and suggestion, finding evidence that the identity states in DID are genuine and not just simulated.
  • Differences in brain activity and physiological responses between DID patients and controls suggest that the distinct identity states in DID are real and biologically based, not easily mimicked through roleplaying by those prone to fantasy or suggestibility.
  • The results challenge the idea that DID is primarily caused by sociocultural influences or suggestibility, supporting the view that it involves an authentic psychobiological disorder linked to trauma and disrupted attachment.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Fieldmouse
@Lone_Horse · X

@CABeck1961 @sammy_lianne (Sorry 4 the notification spam!) PS. In this 2012 study deliberate alter switching in people with DID was compared to high and low fantasy prone actors. Only the genuine DID patients showed the typical brain and circulatory system psychobiological changes. https://t.co/ibNEHbDcnF

May 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 910 followers View post →
Simone Reinders
@AATSReinders · X

Persevere! 6th attempt (first whole brain study to show cortical and subcortical structural aberrations in DID): https://t.co/Q8dpvIAReH 4th attempt (first study to dismiss the Fantasy model for DID on the basis of neurobiological data): https://t.co/WnhmYHxxzL https://t.co/rcw3aQY71a

Jun 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 411 followers View post →
Simone Reinders
@AATSReinders · X

@FndPortal 1) See paper from Vissia et al. 2016 that tests the Trauma and Fantasy model for DID - download here: https://t.co/IaoukTWWe2 and https://t.co/JUIZ555YoG 2) Identity-state dependent blood flow patterns are not related to fantasy proneness: https://t.co/WnhmYHxxzL

May 27, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 411 followers View post →
Alex
@alex15mu · X

I understand your reservations and I'm not asking you to believe my account but I'd appreciate it if after you read further you considered a more empathetic approach towards people affected by DID. Whether or not you believe in it's existence or validity. https://t.co/oALjIU092w

Feb 9, 2021 · 2 likes · 153 followers View post →
Allodoxa (S3r)
@Allodoxaa · X

@WhiteNervosa It would help for Destiny to like, look up anything about this rather than just appeal to his intuition of disgust: https://t.co/jzQ9aIWAR1

Mar 27, 2022 · 1 like · 1,291 followers View post →
RDobbson
@RDobbson1 · X

by The Three Trauma Amigos. They claim Reinders studies provide "scientific evidence" that DID "is real". Here's one: https://t.co/CZpoSS3Zhy

Oct 18, 2019 · 1 like · 1,180 followers View post →

All mentions

Eva Bluttsplitter
@refutatiofthese · X

Reinders, A. A., Willemsen, A. T., den Boer, J. A., Vos, H. P., & Nijenhuis, E. R. (2012). Fact or Factitious? A Psychobiological Study of Authentic and Simulated Dissociative Identity* States. PLoS One, 7(6), e39279.

Mar 20, 2025 · 37 followers View post →
Eva Bluttsplitter
@refutatiofthese · X

Reinders, A. A. T., Willemsen, A. T. M., Vos, H. P., den Boer, J. A., & Nijenhuis, E. R. S. (2012). Fact or Factitious? A Psychobiological Study of Authentic and Simulated Dissociative Identity States. PLoS One, 7(6), e39279.

Mar 20, 2025 · 37 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@TheSystemSystem We could litterally prove this by using a Siemens/CTI ECAT HR+ pet scan to see which of the supposed fakers is experiencing trauma induced cerebral blood flow changes. https://t.co/Dvq3iqJLAR Know anyone that has one? Making one seems hard.

Jan 22, 2024 · 6,448 followers View post →
Iris
@_Lice40 · X

@soninoooo aucun lien tkt

Aug 29, 2023 · 1,083 followers View post →
Allodoxa (S3r)
@Allodoxaa · X

@WhiteNervosa It would help for Destiny to like, look up anything about this rather than just appeal to his intuition of disgust: https://t.co/jzQ9aIWAR1

Mar 27, 2022 · 1 like · 1,291 followers View post →
Allodoxa (S3r)
@Allodoxaa · X

https://t.co/jzQ9aIWAR1

Mar 27, 2022 · 1,291 followers View post →
Alex
@alex15mu · X

I understand your reservations and I'm not asking you to believe my account but I'd appreciate it if after you read further you considered a more empathetic approach towards people affected by DID. Whether or not you believe in it's existence or validity. https://t.co/oALjIU092w

Feb 9, 2021 · 2 likes · 153 followers View post →
Simone Reinders
@AATSReinders · X

Persevere! 6th attempt (first whole brain study to show cortical and subcortical structural aberrations in DID): https://t.co/Q8dpvIAReH 4th attempt (first study to dismiss the Fantasy model for DID on the basis of neurobiological data): https://t.co/WnhmYHxxzL https://t.co/rcw3aQY71a

Jun 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 411 followers View post →
Simone Reinders
@AATSReinders · X

RT @AATSReinders: @FndPortal 1) See paper from Vissia et al. 2016 that tests the Trauma and Fantasy model for DID - download here: https://…

May 27, 2020 · 1 share · 411 followers View post →
Simone Reinders
@AATSReinders · X

@FndPortal 1) See paper from Vissia et al. 2016 that tests the Trauma and Fantasy model for DID - download here: https://t.co/IaoukTWWe2 and https://t.co/JUIZ555YoG 2) Identity-state dependent blood flow patterns are not related to fantasy proneness: https://t.co/WnhmYHxxzL

May 27, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 411 followers View post →
Fieldmouse
@Lone_Horse · X

@CABeck1961 @sammy_lianne (Sorry 4 the notification spam!) PS. In this 2012 study deliberate alter switching in people with DID was compared to high and low fantasy prone actors. Only the genuine DID patients showed the typical brain and circulatory system psychobiological changes. https://t.co/ibNEHbDcnF

May 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 910 followers View post →
RDobbson
@RDobbson1 · X

by The Three Trauma Amigos. They claim Reinders studies provide "scientific evidence" that DID "is real". Here's one: https://t.co/CZpoSS3Zhy

Oct 18, 2019 · 1 like · 1,180 followers View post →