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Dissociative identity disorder, or DID, is much more common than many psychiatrists want to admit. In fact, the vast majority of them refuse to acknowledge its existence at all. Instead, they prefer to diagnose clients or patients with clear DID symptoms as having borderline personality disorders.

If you are a trauma victim, finding a therapist who acknowledges the existence of DID and offers treatment for it through the Internal Family Systems Model is vitally important. While other treatment options are available, none have proven to be as effective at actually promoting healing the way IFS has.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Defined

According to the DSM-5, diagnosing a patient with DID requires that two or more parts of that patient’s personality must take control of the body and operate outside of his or her conscious awareness. In this definition, the term parts refers to what are known as Parts in IFS language. Child, Anger, and Fear are all examples of common Parts.

Before being renamed dissociative identity disorder, this condition was commonly called multiple personality disorder, which some still refer to it as today. While its cause is unknown, many of the world’s most renowned professionals believe DID develops as a method of coping in response to trauma.

What are the Symptoms of DID?

There are several symptoms patients typically exhibit when they struggle with DID.

• Dissociative amnesia – This can refer to experiencing memory “blockages” after a certain age (often after the age of nine). It can also refer to experiencing more current memory issues or missing time.
• Dissociative fugue – This occurs when a person suddenly becomes aware of their surroundings after a period of dissociation. Individuals experiencing this type of “fugue” will find themselves in locations they don’t recognize. They may not even be able to remember their name, phone number, and other information.
• Depersonalization – This is a feeling of being disconnected from yourself or what you are experiencing.
• Derealization – Feeling as though your surroundings or people you are with are not real.
• Identity confusion and alteration – Becoming confused about who you are as a person and/or experiencing various identities, such as a childlike persona who loves stuffed animals or is afraid of the dark.

There are also other, more psychotic symptoms that may be misunderstood and used to diagnose schizophrenia. These symptoms include:

• Having internal dialogues
• Experiencing intrusive voices
• Having auditory hallucinations
• Having visual trauma hallucinations

Trauma therapists who understand the IFS Model can identify the differences between someone with DID and someone with schizophrenia. For example, an individual with schizophrenia will hear fewer voices and they are more similar to each other. Their voices also tend to exhibit more paranoia or spirituality.

An individual with DID will hear many voices of various genders and ages, and their voices are more personal than paranoid.

Do You Have DID?

Perhaps after reviewing this information, you are beginning to think that perhaps you were misdiagnosed in the past. It is possible that dissociative identity disorder is the correct diagnosis; especially if you are a trauma survivor.

I would love the opportunity to talk with you. Contact me today to schedule your appointment.

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