TW: This post will contain mentions of religion, possession, violence, abuse, death, neglect, integration, and other things that may be upsetting. Please read with care or sit this one out.
This weeks post was voted on over on my instagram (@diaryofapsycho1) and will be about some of the myths and misconceptions that surround DID. Hopefully you will learn something about this disorder that you didn't know and if you did, feel free to send the link to someone who might also find it helpful. Let's get right into it :)
1. DID isn't real
DID is a dissociative disorder that is developed during childhood when trauma has occurred. It is recognised in the DSM-5 which is a diagnostic tool used by medical professionals. So yes it is real.
2. DID is VERY rare
This is incorrect as there are studies tat show that DID effects 1-3% of the population making it as common as bipolar, bulimia or schizophrenia.
3. People with DID are dangerous or scary
Just like all mental illnesses, people who have DID are more likely to hurt themselves over hurting someone else. People with DID are also likely to become re-traumatised or abused by others.
4. DID is actually demonic possession
This is a myth that originated from the christian religion and is incorrect. Alters are not demons, they are alternate states of consciousness.
5. DID and schizophrenia are the same disorder
I have a whole post explaining the differences between these disorders and I will have it linked for you to read :) (https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/blog-home/did-or-schizophrenia )
6. DID is easy to notice
DID can be overt or covert. Chances are though that you will not know about someones DID unless they told you. This disorder helped them survive abuse and trauma, it wouldn't be very effective if everyone could tell just by looking at you.
7. You can always tell who is in control of the body
This links back with the previous point. This disorder is meant to be hidden sometimes as it is there to help protect the body. If someone you know has DID there are definetly going to be times when you can't tell who is out or just assume it is the 'original'.
8. DID must be caused by sexual assault
DID can be caused by any type of trauma that occurs during childhood. Trauma is classed as anything that could be seen as life-threatening, repetitively abusive, neglect, or anything that could be scary enough to a child.
9. Neglect isn't enough to cause DID
No, not everyone who has been neglected will have DID but if the child who was being neglected couldn't cope with this, then DID may be formed. Remember, just because something isn't that scary to an adult, doesn't mean it wasn't scary to a child.
10. Because DID is a coping mechanism, people with DID can not know about their alters.
Do you honestly think that during someones whole life they wouldn't notice, at some point, that something wasn't right???? Yes it can take decades for some people with DID to pick up on the disorder but they will still know that something isn't right.
11. All people with DID must have an original
Okay. Let me try and make this simple to understand. when a child goes through trauma that it can't cope with, the brain will stop developing a single integrated personality. This means that before an 'original' personality was formed, the personality states when separated off into several alter states. This means that all of these alters combined would create an 'original'. THERE IS NO ORIGINAL.
12. Switches can be controlled
Just like sneezing, coughing, yawning, or other bodily functions, switches can not always be controlled. Sometimes you can try to positively trigger alters to front but this may not work every time. So no, we can no switch on command.
13. There is always an EVIL alter?!?!?!?
Nope. There is never an evil alter. Yes, just like anyone, some alters could be more aggressive, intimidating, or scary than others but that's the same with anyone. Sometimes you may walk past a random person and feel more threatened than walking past, let's say, a little girl with a lollipop. Alters are much more likely to hurt themselves than another person.
14. Alters can not have different opinions
So basically you are saying that everyone in the whole world has the same opinion? Alters, just like people, can and will have different opinions.
15. Alters can die
Alters are states of consciousness and therefore can not die.
16. Integration is the only way to 'fix' DID
How everyone recovers with their DID is unique to them. Some may fully integrate, others may partially integrate, or some may not integrate at all. There is no cure to DID.
17. Alters can not be older than the body
Just like how no one can be older than someone else???? Alters are completely unique and can be older, younger, the same age, or have no age when compared to the body.
18. People with DID can't live normal lives, have a job, or uphold a relationship.
Just because someone is mentally ill, doesn't impact on their life to a point of being completely helpless. With the right support and resources, anyone can have the life that they wish to have.
I wanted to leave this post with a few links to my other posts about DID that could help you learn more about this disorder.
Please check out my instagram if you haven't already (@diaryofapsycho1) and you will be able to vote on future posts.
Thank you so much for reading this weeks post. I hope you have a wonderful day/night/afternoon.
Jen xx
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