Coping with Dissociative Identity Disorder

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.