Coping With Dissociative Identity Disorder

Coping with Dissociative Identity Disorder


Coping with dissociative identity disorder is extremely difficult. Here is information on the symptoms and treatments available.

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Formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, the name Dissociative
Identity Disorder (DID) was coined to reflect a better understanding of
the condition. DID is a condition in which two or more personality
traits or distinct traits exist. Each of these personalities takes
control of an individual alternately. Each personality has a distinct
identity, history and self-image. The characteristics of each of these
alters’ contrast with those of the primary identity. Dissociative
identity disorder actually reflects a failure to integrate various
aspects of memory, identity and consciousness in a single
multidimensional self.

Some of the symptoms associated with dissociative identity disorder are:

• Phobias
• Headaches
• Flashbacks
• Depression
• Mood Swings
• Panic Attacks
• Eating Problems
• Suicidal Tendencies
• Addictions – Drugs and Alcohol
• Insomnia and Night terrors

The diagnosis for dissociative identity disorder is through a
thorough psychological interview, conducted by a psychologist. In order
to check if a physical disorder is also present a medical examination
needs to be conducted too. There are special questionnaires that have
been developed to help doctors.

The interviews involve careful use of hypnosis or drug facilitation.
This is said to make the person more likely to allow the doctor to
encounter personalities or even reveal information about a period for
which there was amnesia. Of course I would like to mention here that
there are a few doctors who feel that using hypnosis and drugs for
interviews is not right because they believe this technique can itself
generate symptoms of dissociative identity disorder.

Treatment

In dissociative identity disorder treatment is commonly used to relieve
symptoms. This is done to ensure the safety of the individual and to
reconnect the different identities into one. Treatment is also used to
help the person express painful memories, restore functioning and learn
new life skills.

• Psychotherapy
  In this kind of therapy, psychological techniques are used. These
  techniques are so designed as to encourage communication of conflicts
  and insights into problems.

• Cognitive Therapy
  This type of therapy concentrates on changing the dysfunctional thinking patterns present in dissociative identity disorder.

• Medication
  In this scenario, medications are used not to treat the disorder itself.
  Medications are only prescribed for people who suffer from anxiety or
  depression.

• Expressive Therapy
  Therapies such as art therapy or music therapy allow the patient to
  explore an express their thoughts and feelings in a creative and safe
  way.

• Clinical Hypnosis
  In this treatment technique there is use of intense relaxation,
  concentration and focused attention that is used to achieve an altered
  state of awareness or consciousness.

• Behavior Therapy
  This is one of the new approaches that have emerged in connection to
  dissociative identity disorder. In this the patient is referred to by a
  single name and no one responds to the patient's need or requirement
  until he/she responds to that name.

Self-help
Nothing is more beneficial than dealing with a problem together. People
with disorders are starting to come together to form mutual self-help
support groups with larger communities and virtually with online ones.