Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)EXPLO-DIDNCT07663890
EXPLOration of Processes Involved in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
An observational study of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), run by Lille University at 4 sites in France.
Trial summary
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a psychological condition in which a person may feel as though they have multiple distinct personalities or identities. Today, this disorder is being discussed more and more, particularly among young people, partly due to its visibility on social media. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- What is being tested?
- Questionnaire and Physical Exam and Interview
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 4 sitesFrance
- Study dates
- 4 Jun 2026to 30 Jun 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: People who report suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
Who may be able to join
- Individuals who report having Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- At least 18 years old
- Currently receiving treatment from a therapist (psychologist or psychiatrist)
Who cannot join
- Individuals under guardianship or court-ordered protection
Trial locations and contacts
4 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
France4 sites, 4 recruiting
- Recruiting
Sophie Marek's Practice
Carvin
Marek, 003006 30 72 98 82, sophie.marek@univ-lille.fr
Sophie Marek, psychologist
- Recruiting
Online Consultation Cabinet
Chambray-lès-Tours
Elorriaga, 003306 52 59 38 45, celorriaga@proton.me
Cécile Elorriaga, psychologist
- Recruiting
Online Consultation Cabinet - Alexis VANCAPPEL,
Lille, 59800
VANCAPPEL, 00336 61 26 36 02, alexis.vancappel@univ-lille.fr
Alexis VANCAPPEL, PhD
- Recruiting
Centre Régional du Psychotraumatisme
Tours
El-Hage, 0033 02 47 47 71 11, wissam.elhage@univ-tours.fr
William El-Hage, Dr, PhD
About this study
Official title: EXPLOration Des Processus à l'Origine du Trouble Dissociatif de l'Identité (TDI)(EXPLOTDI)
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a psychological condition in which a person may feel as though they have multiple distinct personalities or identities. Today, this disorder is being discussed more and more, particularly among young people, partly due to its visibility on social media. However, researchers have observed that some individuals may mimic or exaggerate the symptoms, which makes it more difficult to understand the disorder.
The goal of this study is therefore to better understand:
Read more
- in which situations these identity shifts occur
- what people feel at that moment
- and what happens next To do this, researchers will interview approximately 60 people, some with a diagnosed DID and others exhibiting simulated symptoms.
Participants will complete questionnaires and take part in an interview. The researchers will analyze:
- the situations that trigger the changes
- the associated thoughts and emotions
- the behaviors
- the consequences of these episodes
The ultimate goal is to better understand this disorder in order to:
- improve care
- and better distinguish between genuine cases and feigned ones
Read the detailed description
This study falls within the field of dissociative disorders, and more specifically dissociative identity disorder (DID), whose clinical validity and mechanisms remain controversial, particularly due to the reported frequency of feigned symptoms.
Objective The primary objective is to identify the functional determinants of episodes of personality state change, whether genuine or feigned, within the framework of cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT).
The analysis is based on the SORC functional model:
- S (Stimuli): triggering situations
- O (Organism): cognitions, emotions, sensations, imagery
- R (Response): operant behaviors
- C (Consequences): short- and long-term effects Methodology An exploratory qualitative approach will be used, aimed at generating hypotheses for subsequent quantitative research.
Participants
- N ≈ 60
- 30 diagnosed with TDI
- 30 simulated TDI
- Multicenter recruitment
- Inclusion: ≥ 18 years old, currently undergoing therapy Procedure
Participants will complete:
- sociodemographic questionnaires
- standardized scales:
- dissociation (sDIS-Q)
- dissociative beliefs (DSB)
- knowledge about dissociation (KADS)
- post-traumatic symptoms Then, a semi-structured qualitative interview will be conducted and recorded. Analysis
- Thematic analysis of interviews
- Data saturation approach
- Cross-coding by raters Scientific objectives
- Clarify the mechanisms of TDI
- Identify functional patterns of dissociative episodes
- Explore differences between genuine and feigned symptoms
- Improve diagnostic validity and therapeutic interventions
- Conditions
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- Being tested
- Questionnaire and Physical Exam, Interview
- Keywords
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Medical subject headings
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Questionnaire and Physical ExamOther
5 standardized assessment tools measuring, respectively, dissociation (sDIS-Q; Vancappel, Chkili, et al., 2025), beliefs about dissociation (DSB; Vancappel et al., 2023), knowledge and skills related to dissociation (KADS; Vancappel, Chami, et al., 2025), psychotrauma (Ashbaugh et al., 2016), and dissociation simulation.
InterviewOther
qualitative interview with the therapist they are already seeing
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | patients diagnosticated with DDI or simulating DDI Receives: Other: Questionnaire and Physical Exam; Other: Interview | |
| Patients' families and loved ones | the patients' families and loved ones Receives: Other: Questionnaire and Physical Exam; Other: Interview |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Dissociative symptoms
Questionnaire
Measured: baseline
Beliefs about dissociation
Questionnaire
Measured: baseline
Skills and knowledge regarding dissociation
Questionnaire
Measured: baseline
Psychotraumatic symptoms
Questionnaire
Measured: baseline
How the TDI Works
Qualitative interview
Measured: baseline
Simulation
Qualitative interview
Measured: baseline
Dissociative symptoms
Qualitative interview
Measured: baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jun 2026
- Study start4 Jun 2026
- Primary completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lille University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07663890
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- D2025-6
- Other IDs
- 2025-A02614-45
- Acronym
- EXPLO-DID
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 26 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- EXPLOration Des Processus à l'Origine du Trouble Dissociatif de l'Identité (TDI)(EXPLOTDI)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07663890
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EXPLO-DID / D2025-6
- Conditions
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- Keywords
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Lille UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a psychological condition in which a person may feel as though they have multiple distinct personalities or identities. Today, this disorder is being discussed more and more, particularly among young people, partly due to its visibility on social media. However, researchers have observed that some individuals may mimic or exaggerate the symptoms, which makes it more difficult to understand the disorder.
The goal of this study is therefore to better understand:
- in which situations these identity shifts occur
- what people feel at that moment
- and what happens next To do this, researchers will interview approximately 60 people, some with a diagnosed DID and others exhibiting simulated symptoms.
Participants will complete questionnaires and take part in an interview. The researchers will analyze:
- the situations that trigger the changes
- the associated thoughts and emotions
- the behaviors
- the consequences of these episodes
The ultimate goal is to better understand this disorder in order to:
- improve care
- and better distinguish between genuine cases and feigned ones
Detailed description
This study falls within the field of dissociative disorders, and more specifically dissociative identity disorder (DID), whose clinical validity and mechanisms remain controversial, particularly due to the reported frequency of feigned symptoms.
Objective The primary objective is to identify the functional determinants of episodes of personality state change, whether genuine or feigned, within the framework of cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT).
The analysis is based on the SORC functional model:
- S (Stimuli): triggering situations
- O (Organism): cognitions, emotions, sensations, imagery
- R (Response): operant behaviors
- C (Consequences): short- and long-term effects Methodology An exploratory qualitative approach will be used, aimed at generating hypotheses for subsequent quantitative research.
Participants
- N ≈ 60
- 30 diagnosed with TDI
- 30 simulated TDI
- Multicenter recruitment
- Inclusion: ≥ 18 years old, currently undergoing therapy Procedure
Participants will complete:
- sociodemographic questionnaires
- standardized scales:
- dissociation (sDIS-Q)
- dissociative beliefs (DSB)
- knowledge about dissociation (KADS)
- post-traumatic symptoms Then, a semi-structured qualitative interview will be conducted and recorded. Analysis
- Thematic analysis of interviews
- Data saturation approach
- Cross-coding by raters Scientific objectives
- Clarify the mechanisms of TDI
- Identify functional patterns of dissociative episodes
- Explore differences between genuine and feigned symptoms
- Improve diagnostic validity and therapeutic interventions
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | – | Other: Questionnaire and Physical Exam, Other: Interviewpatients diagnosticated with DDI or simulating DDI |
| Patients' families and loved ones | – | Other: Questionnaire and Physical Exam, Other: Interviewthe patients' families and loved ones |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- People who report suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Individuals who report having Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- At least 18 years old
- Currently receiving treatment from a therapist (psychologist or psychiatrist)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals under guardianship or court-ordered protection
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Questionnaire and Physical Exam5 standardized assessment tools measuring, respectively, dissociation (sDIS-Q; Vancappel, Chkili, et al., 2025), beliefs about dissociation (DSB; Vancappel et al., 2023), knowledge and skills related to dissociation (KADS; Vancappel, Chami, et al., 2025), psychotrauma (Ashbaugh et al., 2016), and dissociation simulation. | Other | Patients, Patients' families and loved ones |
| Interviewqualitative interview with the therapist they are already seeing | Other | Patients, Patients' families and loved ones |
Primary outcome
Dissociative symptoms
Time frame: baseline
Questionnaire
Beliefs about dissociation
Time frame: baseline
Questionnaire
Skills and knowledge regarding dissociation
Time frame: baseline
Questionnaire
Psychotraumatic symptoms
Time frame: baseline
Questionnaire
How the TDI Works
Time frame: baseline
Qualitative interview
Simulation
Time frame: baseline
Qualitative interview
Dissociative symptoms
Time frame: baseline
Qualitative interview
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Enrolling by invitation
Combination Treatment With Individually Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Processing and Group Intervention for People With Complex Dissociative Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Other Specified Dissociative Disorders (OSDD)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Online Consultation Cabinet - Alexis VANCAPPEL,
Lille, France
4 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), run by Lille University at 4 sites in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 4 sites in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Dissociative symptoms (time frame: baseline). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Jun 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.