multiple personalities in pop culture

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Talking about the rapper Eminem (I almost gave this thread the title of "mmm, chocolate" ).

ANYWAYS

In my psych class in college, we were talking about multiple personality disorder (MPD), though my instructor disagrees with it, saying that the disorder stems from extreme PTSD, creating someone else, so as not to have to be in the reality that is horrific to them. To get back on topic, I've been listening to quite a bit of Eminem's music, and have come to realize that there have been several points in his life that he created a new person out of himself: Slim Shady. This side of him is very dark and sadistic and cruel, yet still part of Marshall Mathers, as a person. I'm not quite sure whether he has MPD or if it's something completely different, but it certainly wasn't an attempt to get the attention of society, as that was already present for him.

Anyone have any feedback on this? Who is SS? Who is Eminem? Who is Marshall Mathers?

I don't know too much about the disorder myself, but what I do know is that it's usually caused by horrific past experiences.

Forgive me for going a bit off topic here, but some of what you just described scarily reflects some of what Mike from Total Drama is going through right now, (he's a fictional character with MPD). Not going into anymore detail about him, because I've kinda already mentioned him in previous threads.

But what you have to say here is very interesting; can't exactly wrap my brain around it, but he could have it. If not, then he's probably just using these personas just for show.

I don't want to base my judgement from just a cartoon, because most of the time logic is completely flawed there.

Artists, from time to time, have developed alter egos and even released albums by them. Janet Jackson had Danita Jo, Garth Brooks had Chris Gaines, David Bowie was the Thin White Duke and Ziggy Stardust, Mariah Carey was Mimi, now Britney Spears is promoting herself as Mona Lisa. Rock stars. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.