How to Live With Dissociative Identity Disorder

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a serious disorder, characterized by the presence of two or more separate identities with distinct personalities, which alternately take over the subject's behavior. Until recently, the disorder was classified as a "multiple personality disorder". Treating dissociative identity disorder is quite complicated and living with it can be very difficult. Start from the first step to activate some techniques that can help you lead a more normal life.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Understanding Your Disorder

Step 1. Learn to recognize the nature of the disorder

You are a single individual with separate identities. Each separate identity (or "alter") belongs to you even if you can't take control of it. Becoming aware of this will help you develop a personal identity and manage your disorder.

Step 2. Identify the cause

Dissociative identity disorder is more common in women, and is almost always linked to childhood trauma, often resulting from violent and prolonged abuse. As painful and difficult as it can be, tracing the cause of the disorder can help you heal.

Step 3. Accept that your alters are real, at least temporarily

Others may tell you that they do not exist, that they are a figment of your imagination. In some ways, that's true - they are aspects of your personality, not independent individuals. However, if you have dissociative identity disorder, these alters are real. Temporarily it would be preferable to recognize their apparent reality and learn to deal with them.

Step 4. Be prepared for states of amnesia

If you have DID, you may have two types of amnesia. In the first place you may have removed traumatic and painful experiences; remember that many people with dissociative identity disorder have had similar experiences as children. Second, you may suffer from amnesia and a sense of "lost time" when one of your alters takes over your consciousness.

Step 5. Know that you may experience dissociative fugue states

Since one of your alters could take over at any moment, you may find yourself far from home, not knowing where you are and how you got there. This is called "dissociative fugue".

Step 6. Remember that depression is very common in people with DID

If you have dissociative identity disorder, you may also suffer from symptoms of depression: sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, distress, and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts.

Step 7. Know that anxiety is also common in people with DID

If you have dissociative identity disorder, you may also be subject to states of anxiety. You will feel worried or afraid, sometimes without understanding the reasons.

Step 8. Look for other symptoms of psychic origin

In addition to amnesia, dissociative fugues, depression and anxiety, you may notice other symptoms: mood changes, for example, and a state of trance or detachment from reality.

Step 9. Watch out for auditory hallucinations

People with DID sometimes hear voices, which may scream, comment, criticize, or threaten. At first you may not understand that these voices are in your head.

Part 2 of 4: Seeking Professional Help

Step 1. Find an experienced therapist

You need a therapist who can get the right information from you and your alters, and you need someone who will listen patiently and deal with long-term treatment. In addition to dialectical therapy, sessions of hypnosis, psychotherapy, and movement therapy may be needed. Look for an experienced professional who treats dissociative identity disorder with one or more of these methods.

Step 2. Be persevering

On average, it takes about seven years to diagnose dissociative identity disorder. This is because many doctors are not familiar with the disorder and the symptoms are not always immediately obvious, while the most common signs - depression, anxiety and others - mask the problem. Once the diagnosis is made, you will need to follow the therapy consistently. If your therapist doesn't seem to understand or listen to you, find another one. If one treatment doesn't seem to work, try another.

Step 3. Try to stick to the therapist's directions

The more you stick to therapy, the easier it will be to manage your alters and lead a better, more normal life. Remember that therapy works slowly but can lead to significant and lasting changes. Over time, a good therapist can help you understand your disorder, resolve conflicts, and ultimately integrate your multiple identities into a single one.

Step 4. Take the prescribed medications

In addition to therapy, you may need to treat some of your symptoms - such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, and sleep disturbances - with medication. These will not cure the disorder, but are sometimes used as "shock absorbers" to help you manage painful and debilitating situations so that long-term therapy can take effect.

Part 3 of 4: Managing Dissociative Identity Disorder in Everyday Life

Step 1. Adopt a plan for dissociation

Remember that your alters could take over at any time. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, one or more of these alters may be children or otherwise not aware of where to go. Be prepared. Keep a sheet of your name, address, telephone number, along with contact information for your therapist and at least one trusted friend, at your home, workplace, and in your car. Keep your important data in one place at home and tell your loved ones where the place is.

It may also be helpful to place cards containing important information, including the daily schedule

Step 2. Take preventative measures

One of your alters may be acting irresponsibly. He may be overspending, shopping sprees, and buying useless items. In this case, avoid carrying your credit card or large sums of money with you. If one of your alters does something else irresponsible, take similar measures to reduce the potential damage.

Step 3. Join a support group

If there is a support group in the area where you live, consider joining them. These kinds of groups can provide valuable perspectives and many valuable survival suggestions.

Step 4. Build a personal support network

Regardless of your therapist and support group, it may help to have a few close friends and family members who understand you and are willing to help you in times of need. They can help you control medications and treatments and provide you with emotional support. Unconditional love and support will increase your self-esteem and strengthen your determination to engage in therapy.

Step 5. Read the success stories

It can be challenging to read books by people who have managed to successfully manage the disorder and lead a normal, fully functional life. Your therapist may recommend some.

Step 6. Create a shelter

When painful memories assail you, or you feel upset, it may be helpful to have a safe, calming place available. It can be small, but safe and inviting. Some ideas include:

• make a scrapbook or collection of good memories that you can look at and rewatch often.
• decorate with images that inspire peace and quiet.
• post positive messages, such as "I feel safe here" and "I can do this."

Step 7. Avoid stress

Stress appears to be a trigger for personality change. Try to protect yourself from constant mood swings by avoiding stressful situations. Minimize the problem by avoiding arguments, moving away from places where conflicts might arise, seeking the company of people who understand and support you, and keeping you busy with relaxing activities such as reading, gardening or watching television.

Step 8. Identify alarming situations or symptoms

With time and proper therapy, you may learn to recognize situations and symptoms that could trigger one of your alters. Pay attention and try to resolve these situations before they occur. Also, write them down when possible to take a proactive approach to resolving them in the future. Some common triggers for people with DID are:

• involvement in a conflict

  

• having flashbacks of negative memories

  

• insomnia and somatic disorders

  

• self-injurious attitudes

  

• mood changes

  

• feelings of trance or detachment

  

• auditory hallucinations, perhaps with voices commenting or arguing

  

Step 9. Adopt systems to reassure yourself

Take pleasure in doing small but satisfying tasks for yourself, and try to help others when you can. Practice your faith, if you have one, and try yoga and meditation. These systems will help you reduce stress and increase inner strength.

Step 10. Stay away from drugs and alcohol

Consuming any medications other than those prescribed for your condition could make your symptoms worse.

Part 4 of 4: Managing a Job with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Step 1. Choose the right job

Everyone is different, but if you have DID, your disorder will certainly affect your ability to work. What kind of job is right for you? It depends on how helpful and collaborative your alters are. Talk to your therapist about which type of occupation is best for you, but remember that it is very important to avoid stressful situations. Try not to choose a job that constantly causes you tension and worry.

Especially consider your responsibilities. You don't want a child personality to emerge during a serious discussion or important meeting, and you don't want to surprise clients with unexplained changes in ideas, attitudes and behaviors

Step 2. Try to set concrete expectations

You can try to control or set rules for your alters, but they may not cooperate. They may make mistakes, confuse colleagues, quit their jobs, or even quit their jobs. The pretense of managing all of these eventualities will add to your stress, so accept the fact that you may not be able to hold down a particular job.

Step 3. Consider letting colleagues know about your problem

It is up to you whether or not to share your situation with colleagues. If your condition is under control and doesn't interfere with your work life, you may want to avoid it. But, if your boss or co-workers are confused, tired, and dissatisfied with your performance for reasons related to your ailment, it might be helpful to let them know. Otherwise, these people may struggle to know your real self and be perplexed by the fact that you constantly change your mind, for no reason.

Step 4. Manage work-related stress

Even a job without too much pressure could be stressful. Make sure this stress doesn't get too intense. Just like you do outside the workplace, try to avoid conflicts and discussions and practice relaxation techniques.

Step 5. Learn about the regulations

The law protects the interests of disabled workers. Therefore you may fall into the protected categories.

Advice

• Dissociative identity disorder is a frightening, upsetting and often misunderstood condition. It is normal to be overwhelmed by it. However, try to have a long-term view. Remember that DID can be cured. Therapy can be effective, as long as it is followed constantly.
• If you have tried to work but are unable to because of your ailment, you could apply for disability.