You might sometimes feel like you are more than one person or like some other entity or person is possessing your body. [4] X Expert Source Noel Hunter, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 18 December 2020. You could also sometimes find that you have stretches of time that you can’t remember. [5] X Expert Source Noel Hunter, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 18 December 2020. Other people might also tell you that it sometimes seems like you are different people. [6] X Expert Source Noel Hunter, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 18 December 2020.
A change in the sound/timbre of voice. Rapid blinking, as if adjusting to light. A general change in demeanor or physical state. Changes in facial features or expression. Change in train of thought or conversation, without any warning or reason. In children, having imaginary playmates or other fantasy play is not indicative of having DID. [8] X Research source
Individuals with DID may sometimes display dramatic changes in the topic of conversation or line of thought. Or they may also show a generalized inability to concentrate for long periods of time going “in and out” of conversation.
The types of memory issues associated with DID are not consistent with normal, everyday forgetfulness. Losing your keys or forgetting where you parked your car are not extreme enough. People with DID will have significant gaps in their memory such as not remembering an entire situation that occurred recently.
Do your symptoms (different states, memory issues) cause you a lot of pain and suffering? Are you having substantial issues with school, work, or home-life because of your symptoms? Do your symptoms cause you to have difficulty in friendships and relationships with others?
Don’t try to self-diagnose. You must see a professional to determine whether or not you have DID. Only trained psychologists or psychiatrists are qualified to diagnose the illness. Find a psychologist or therapist who specializes in assessing and treating the disorder. If you have been diagnosed with DID, you can consider whether you want to take medication for it. Ask your psychologist for a referral to a psychiatrist.
Also, rule out any substance use issues. [13] X Research source DID is not caused by blackouts due to alcohol consumption or other substance intoxication. If you experience seizures of any kind, consult with your doctor immediately. This is a medical condition and not directly associated with DID.
Don’t expect an immediate diagnosis on the first day you meet with a mental health professional. These assessments can take several sessions. Make sure you tell the mental health professional that you are worried you might have DID. This can make it much easier to diagnose because this will help the doctor (Psychologist or Psychiatrist) ask you the correct questions and observe your behaviors appropriately. Be honest about your experiences. The more information the doctor has, the more accurate the diagnosis.
Make a list of all of the symptoms you encounter. This list will help shed light on your condition. Bring this list to your psychologist when you go for an evaluation.
A single (or a few unrelated) abuse events will not cause DID. The onset of symptoms may begin in childhood, but will not be diagnosed until a person has reached adulthood.
Create a diary of memory problems. If you suddenly come to and don’t know what you’ve just been doing, write it down. Check the time and date and write an account of where you are and the last thing you remember. This can help identify patterns or triggers for dissociative episodes. Share this with your mental health professional if you feel comfortable.
There must be two or more distinct states within a single individual, which is outside societal and cultural norms for the individual. The person will have recurrent memory issues such as gaps in memory of everyday activities, forgetting personal information, or traumatic events. The symptoms cause significant impairment in functioning (school, work, home, relationships). The disturbance is not part of a widely recognized religious or cultural practice. The symptoms are not the result of substance abuse or a medical illness.
Popular movies like “Weirdo,” “Fight Club,” and “Sybil” have added confusion to many people’s understanding of the illness, as they show fictionalized, extreme versions of the disorder. DID doesn’t appear as suddenly and strongly as movies and television shows portray it, nor with violent or animalistic tendencies.
A trained psychologist will know how to question a patient without creating false memories or false testimonies on the patient’s part. Therapy is a safe way to treat DID, and has shown significant improvements in sufferers.
Celebrity examples of alter-egos include Eminem/Slim Shady and Beyonce/Sasha Fierce.
