Am J Psychiatry 1984; 141:1381-1385
Copyright © 1984 by American Psychiatric Association
The syndrome of identity diffusion
S Akhtar
The author delineates the syndrome of identity diffusion as consisting of
six clinical features: 1) contradictory character traits, 2) temporal
discontinuity in the self, 3) lack of authenticity, 4) feelings of
emptiness, 5) gender dysphoria, and 6) inordinate ethnic and moral
relativism. This syndrome implies severe character pathology and is
distinct from adolescent identity crisis. The conceptualization has a
significant bearing on the differential diagnosis and psychotherapy of
personality disorders.
