© Shutterstock

Symptoms -

Symptoms of DID can often include memory gaps, feeling like an observer in your own body, and even emotional or physical changes when switching identities.

© Shutterstock

Diagnostic criteria -

There isn’t a single test that can diagnose this disorder. The diagnosis of DID involves thorough evaluation by a mental health specialist.

© Shutterstock

Signs of DID -

A person will have two or more distinct identities, with the ‘core’ identity being their usual personality, and ‘alters’ being their alternate ones.

© Shutterstock

Can DID be prevented? -

While there is no way to prevent DID, identifying the symptoms and being aware of the signs early in life can help people seek treatment and better manage their symptoms.

© Shutterstock

Ways to make living with DID easier -

Active, caring, and strong support systems are crucial for those with DID. From healthcare providers to friends and family, the people in their lives are important factors in their overall well-being.

© Shutterstock

Causes of DID - DID usually results from repeated abuse during childhood. The disorder attempts to distance or detach someone from their trauma.

© Shutterstock

Prevalence of DID -

DID is extremely rare; in fact, the disorder affects between .01-1.5% of the population. Women are more likely than men to have DID.

© Shutterstock

Historical overview -

It wasn’t until 1980 that multiple personality disorder (MPD) was introduced in the DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition). Later it was renamed to dissociative identity disorder (DID).

© Shutterstock

Misconceptions from the media -

Movies and shows have historically portrayed characters with DID as being possessed or dangerous. This misrepresentation leads to a further misunderstanding of the disorder.

© Shutterstock

Treatment approaches -

While some medicine can help with co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety, the main treatment for DID is psychotherapy.

© Shutterstock

What is psychotherapy? -

This therapy focuses on building trust, processing trauma, and helping the internal parts work together. About 75% of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from it.

© Shutterstock

Coping strategies -

Individuals with DID develop various coping mechanisms, like practicing mindfulness, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and identifying triggers with the help of a therapist so they can be avoided.

© Shutterstock

Myths and misconceptions #1 -

Myth: people with DID are dangerous and violent.

Fact: research shows no increased risk of violence in those with DID. Any violence shown is more likely due to the trauma they have experienced.

© Shutterstock

Myths and misconceptions #2 -

Myth: people with DID can switch identities at will.

Fact: switching is often involuntary and triggered by stress or reminders of traumatic incidents.

© Shutterstock

Myths and misconceptions #3 -

Myth: alters are just ego states, moods with names attached, or even imaginary friends.

Fact: alters are dissociated self states that can be highly differentiated from one another.

© Shutterstock

Myths and misconceptions #4 -

Myth: individuals with DID are not aware of what their alters do.

Fact: while most individuals with DID experience some degree of amnesia towards their alters, many remain co-conscious.

© Shutterstock

Myths and misconceptions #5 -

Myth: DID is an American phenomenon.

Fact: DID has actually been found in many countries, worldwide. Additionally, research regarding DID has come from places like the Netherlands, Turkey, and New Zealand.

© Shutterstock

Myths and misconceptions #6 -

Myth: individuals with DID are never aware that they have alters.

Fact: it is common for individuals with DID to have awareness of their alters and to even hear their alters communicating.

© Shutterstock

Myths and misconceptions #7 -

Myth: DID can form in adults.

Fact: DID cannot form in an individual who has a fully integrated personality. Chronic childhood trauma is a key component to disrupting normal personality development.

© Shutterstock

Advocacy and awareness -

Raising awareness about DID helps fight stigma and promotes understanding. This allows people with DID to access better support and resources.

© Shutterstock

Cultural considerations -

Though incorrect, some individuals believe that dissociative identity disorder (DID) is an American or Western phenomenon. Cultural beliefs can influence how DID is perceived and treated.

© Shutterstock

DID in children -

Diagnosis and treatment approaches need to be tailored to children's age and developmental stage. Occasionally, children with documented trauma histories will show extreme variations in behavior and temperament.

© Shutterstock

The brain and DID - Brain imaging studies suggest that DID may be linked to changes in brain structure and function, particularly in areas related to episodic memory (the amygdalar glands) and emotion processing (the hippocampus).

© Shutterstock

DID in literature -

Several popular DID books exist, such as 1973's 'Sybil: The True Story of a Woman Possessed by Sixteen Separate Personalities.' Resources like this help the world better understand this complex disorder.

© Shutterstock

Caregiver perspectives -

Supporting someone with DID can be challenging. Caregivers need resources and support to help their loved ones navigate the journey.

© Shutterstock

Access to treatment - Unfortunately, only 28-48% of individuals with DID receive mental health treatment. Patients who do pursue treatment are often misdiagnosed and repeatedly hospitalized.

© Shutterstock

Hope and recovery -

DID is a wildly complex condition, but with treatment and support there is hope. Individuals with DID can learn to manage their symptoms, thereby enabling themselves to build fulfilling relationships and live meaningful lives.

© Shutterstock

Stigma and discrimination - Sadly, DID is often misunderstood. There's a lot of misinformation out there, leading to people facing stigma and discrimination in society and even healthcare settings.

© Shutterstock

If someone in my life has DID, how do I help? -

Educating yourself on DID and its symptoms is the first step to being a good advocate. Then, remaining calm and supportive despite any behavior changes will help situations remain manageable.

Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (NLM) (American Psychiatric Association) (Verywell Health) (DID Research) (NIH) (Goodreads) (Mass General Brigham) (Psychiatry.org)

See also: Everyday things you didn't realize are harming your mental health

© Shutterstock