I decided to do this post as I get questions daily about how to get diagnosed with DID and what to do if doctors don't listen to you. Feel free to share this post with anyone you think may find it helpful and lets get right to it :)
DID, What actually is it?
DID stands for Dissociative Identity Disorder and is a trauma based mental illness that develops during childhood. The main characteristics of DID include: 2 or more distinct personalities or alters, a history of childhood trauma, PTSD like symptoms, derealisation or depersonalisation, dissociative episodes, amnesia, and difficulty functioning in daily life. This disorder effects between 1-3% of the population and is still very misunderstood. DID was formerly known as MPD/Multiple Personality Disorder. The name was changed due to people confusing it as being a personality disorder rater than the dissociative disorder that it is. Dissociation is a common way for the brain to cope with stress and trauma.
What other dissociative disorders are there?
Other dissociative disorders include: OSDD, USDD, DPDR and DA. OSDD stands for Otherwise specified dissociative disorder and comes in 2 types. This is the most similar to DID and this diagnosis is given when a patient doesn't fit to a specific dissociative dissuader but falls in-between. USDD is Un-specified dissociative dissuader and this means that a patient doesnt fill the criteria for any dissociative disorder but their levels of dissociation still cause difficulties and distress. DPDR stands for Depersonalisation and Derealisation. These terms mean that a patient dent feel connected to either their body/being or their environment/life. This is quite common for trauma survivors and can be very distressing to experience. DA or Dissociative Amnesia is actually part of the criteria for DID, but this diagnosis can stand alone if the only symptom is memory loss caused from excessive dissociation.
What is PTSD?
Those with DID will have symptoms of PTSD as it is a trauma based disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has many symptoms and a strict criteria that impacts its sufferers. Symptoms include, but aren't limited too: flashbacks, anxiety, exposure or experiences of serious life threatening or dangerous events, nightmares, dissociation, avoidance of places, people or memories, amnesia, paranoia, negative emotions and thought patterns, detachment, depression, outbursts, anger, self-destructive behaviour, lack of focus, sleep issues, symptoms last longer than 1month, prolonged distress and a disconnection to life.
Who can diagnose these disorders?
It is important to seek medical help if you think you are experiencing a mental illness. These disorders can only be diagnosed by a qualified professional who has training and experience with these disorders. Your regular doctor will not just give you a diagnosis. You need to get therapy and seek out help from multiple people in the industry (eg. psychologist, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, specialist).
Why is a diagnosis important?
By having a diagnosis you can feel validation that what you experienced wasn't normal or right. This can be a relief for those who constantly get told they are lying or exaggerating about their trauma, but also for those who doubt themselves. With a diagnosis you have access to funding and therapy that you will need in order to recover from your past. Access to medications and other resources will be much easier once a formal diagnosis is in place. While it ca be scary to take that step and get diagnosed, it is important for recovery. Diagnosis do not just disapear though, by this I mean, if you get diagnosed with DID, that label will follow you for the rest of your life as it is a chronic condition and will be life long (even with full integration you will still experience the symptoms). Do not try to get diagnosed with a specific disorder if you are not 100% sure that is what you are dealing with.
Do you need to see a therapist?
This depends on how well you are coping and where you are in your recovery. DID is unique for everyone and there may be times when you don't feel the need for therapy, but it is always important to know that it is there if you need it. Most countries will have some sort of free or bulk billed therapy, you just need to do your research. If you are like me and have always been in therapy, then you may feel comfort in going, and that is totally fine. If you need therapy to feel safe then tat is okay and you are entitled to it.
What if doctors don't believe or listen to me?
Just keep trying. If you know hat something isn't quite right and you need help, then don't give up. Know first hand that doctors and therapists don't always understand or accept DID or other dissociative disorders but if you are certain that you are experiencing this then I promise that someone will listen. Lets say that you get diagnosed with OSDD, but you think you have DID. Maybe you should take a step back and listen to the doctors because you are still getting a diagnosis and its okay to be confused or scared of a label that you don't understand and with them being so similar it is highly likely that you where wrong and the doctor is right. After all they do have the training and qualifications. On the other hand, if you go to a doctor, explain your symptoms and they say "Have you taken any substances?", "You cant possibly have DID", "that disorder isn't real", "I think you are just depressed", or anything like that that totally disregards what you are saying then try someone else. Your experiences are valid and you deserve to be listened to.
I think I have DID but I don't have trauma?
No! You cannot have DID without trauma. Its possible that you are unaware of your trauma because of dissociative amnesia, but you still need trauma. If you walked into a therapists office and said you thin you have DID but have no trauma they are likely to send you away because that is wrong. You need severe and repeated childhood trauma to have DID as it develops through trauma. Do not continue saying that you have alters or DID because that is dangerous and hurtful those who actually went through hell as a child and now live2with this disorder.
What if DID isn't valid in my country?
DID IS VALID! I get this in my DMs a lot and it makes me so upset. DID is in the DSM-5 and is a real mental illness. If people don't believe you you just need to keep looking. Someone will listen and validate your experiences. I have had so many doctor and therapists laugh at me, call me crazy, refuse to work with me and call me a lair over my diagnosis and it is wrong and disgusting. DID is just as common as bulimia, yet doctors still refuse to accept it. This can be a way of protecting themselves from the harsh truth in this disorder. Childhood trauma is something that no one wants to think about because it is dark and disturbing, but it is the reality for so many people. Sometimes just the thought of it can make people (even doctors), shut down and say 'that didn't happen'. I promise you that someone will listen to you eventually. It is a hard journey, but you will get there.
I don't feel safe going to a therapist, what else could I do?
There are many ways around this now. You can call a helpline, or therapy service. YOU can do web or online therapy sessions. You can even do email therapy if you are anxious about phones! I will leave a link to my 'HELP' page so that you can get an idea of some of the services that offer these things. https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/index
Why is the DSM-5 important?
This is a tool used by medical professionals worldwide o help in diagnosing all mental disorders. This book gives criteria for each mental illness, their symptoms, and even suicide rates. Doctors and therapists use this when treating patients to insure they are helping in the best possible way and assisting in your recovery.
I want to know more, where can I go?
To learn more about DID, visit these links:
I will post screenshots from the DSM-5 in relation to the disorders mentioned in this post for your own reading. It is important to remember that I am not a professional and if you are experiencing a metal health issue please contact a therapist or doctor when possible.
I hope that you found this helpful and feel free to share it with those who may benefit from this post. I hope that you have an amazing day/night and thank you for reading.
Jen xx
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