Host (psychology)
Encyclopedia
In psychology
and mental health
, a host is the most important (to therapeutic
goals) mental entity in someone who has dissociative identity disorder
(formerly known as multiple personality disorder). Often this is thought to be the root of the person's psyche
, or at least a key figure for completion of therapy, whether or not it has integration as a goal.
People suffering from this disorder, or who believe themselves to contain multiple mental or spiritual entities, often use the term "host" in reference to the entirety of the body and all of the entities contained therein. This usage of the term denotes that the singular physical entity in question claims many internal mental residents; no importance to one entity over the rest is implied.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
, a host is the most important (to therapeutic
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
goals) mental entity in someone who has dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis and describes a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities , each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment....
(formerly known as multiple personality disorder). Often this is thought to be the root of the person's psyche
Psyche (psychology)
The word psyche has a long history of use in psychology and philosophy, dating back to ancient times, and has been one of the fundamental concepts for understanding human nature from a scientific point of view. The English word soul is sometimes used synonymously, especially in older...
, or at least a key figure for completion of therapy, whether or not it has integration as a goal.
People suffering from this disorder, or who believe themselves to contain multiple mental or spiritual entities, often use the term "host" in reference to the entirety of the body and all of the entities contained therein. This usage of the term denotes that the singular physical entity in question claims many internal mental residents; no importance to one entity over the rest is implied.