Dissociative Disorder & Multiple Personalities

PurrRN · Dec 6, 2006

I have no clinical experience with these disorders. Mine comes from a purely personal experience with a mother who has suffered a multiple personality disorder from since I can remember as a child. I don't know how I would explain it to a professional if I had to, but having lived the experience, makes me a believer that at least SOME of the claims are true. Unfortunately, the inability to conclusively test for the disorders, makes it easy for unscrupulous people to fake. Makes it harder for those who genuinely have a problem.

deb18 · Jan 26, 2007

I have identified some and have treated some and I am definately a believer. I can even see the changes on their faces when it happens. many believe it is bunk but I think if that is what they needed to do to survive and still need to do it needs to be recognized. even if they are putting it on

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 26, 2007

Definately a believer, with no doubts whatsoever.

Severe trauma in childhood (of the most unimaginable kind) causes the core person(ality) to fragment. This is usually done well before the individual has any clue that they even have multiples. It is not until much later in life that they become aware of it... and many never do..unless it is brought to their attention by others who have observed the various personalilties "coming out".

These ppl have been traumatized enough already.. please let us not judge them and add to their burdon. What they have survived is incomprehensible to those of us who could never imagine the horrors they were exposed to and had inflicted upon them.

The various personalities residing with them are the very ones who have protected the individual through the years, and allowed said individual to maintain their sanity. If it were not for the "others" stepping in and "taking over" during the times of trauma, the core person simply would not have survived.

This is no BS.. DID is real. It is simply fragmentation.. with no awareness or knowlegde on the core persoon's part.. none whatsoever.. when the fragmenting begins.

It is a marvelous and wondrous built in safety net for extreme trauma.

Hats off to those who are survivors. They have my deepest respect and admiration.

muffie, RN · Jan 27, 2007

:yeahthat:

well said netters

purplekath · Jan 28, 2007

They don't come along often, but when they do you become a believer. Yes it is real. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. You would have to be an oscar winning actor to fake it... totally fascinating when you meet one btw.

erichRN · Jan 28, 2007

The trauma part is key. DID people have suffered and are still suffering and have to have very good help to get over it, which most don't. Its up to us as caregivers to simply help them get through this life. An aside-- those who fake also have issues for which they could use some help, as well.

Psychaprn · Feb 2, 2007

I have treated DID pts. inpt. and as a private therapist. The goal is to provide safety and reality orientation. Get to know the personalities of the alters and try to form a trusting relationship with the ones(s) that have the patients best interests at heart. Some pt.'s over time can bring out an alter you request to speak with. If an alter is self destructive-remind him/herthat if they destroy the host's body all the personalities will suffer.

Treat each personality as they emerge with respect, reality orientation and limits prn. The long term goal of treatment is integration of the personalities into one host personality. emember the personalities were developed to cope with awful trauma. These are very difficult patients to treat.

I have seen pts. misdiagnosed with DID and vice-versa. They can actually be Schizophrenic, Bipolar, Borderline or Malingerers. Read up onDID and work as closely as you can with the team. Good luck!