![]() Time can pass without the individual being aware of it. When functioning from one of the fragmented identities, whilst being fully alert and able to complete complex tasks, this functioning is pinched off from the individual's consciousness. In dissociative identity disorder (DID), these dissociations are coupled with a change in identity. When in a fully dissociated state, an individual's thoughts, feelings and behaviours are beyond their conscious awareness. They can happen frequently, too, interfering with a person's ability to live a normal life. They can be disorientating and distressing to the person with DID. Individuals may also hear voices or see images which are not there. They can cause a wide variety of distressing symptoms - for example, flashbacks, physical pain, fearfulness, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, addictions and relationship problems. These other symptoms are often a result of the trauma endured during their childhoods and the difficult attachments to the people in their lives. In fact, in DID, it is as if the person's identity has been broken up into several different identity fragments, each having a different role in helping the person function.Īs well as episodes of full dissociation with memory gaps and identity changes, people with DID can experience many other symptoms too. There can be several different identities within one person, but these are not complete and fully formed extra personalities, as was once thought. This can be confusing and embarrassing for the person with DID. They may find evidence of their actions whilst functioning in a dissociated identity, like new clothes they have no memory of buying, for example. The person with DID might only aware of 'coming to' when no longer in the dissociated identity. Minutes or hours may pass without their knowing occasionally even longer. They may not be aware of anything that happens whilst in a different identity. This is because the identity switch comes with dissociation, meaning the person is not consciously aware of the identity change. The person with DID can have no recollection of switching identity. It might have its own set of memories - memories which are not shared by the other identities within the person. It might even have a different age or gender. Particularly when under stress, their identity can switch to one which might be very different. ![]() They might have no awareness of switching, although it can be apparent to the people around them. They can switch between identities instantly, even without intending to. In DID, individuals have several different identities, each one being different from the rest. This is not the case in dissociative identity disorder (DID). Whilst everyone can feel and behave differently depending on what they are doing, they always have a sense of a constant self, regardless of who they are with and what they are doing. It has memories and experiences of its own and an understanding of itself. Identity means a sense of who we are: our age, gender, sexuality, temperament, personality. In fact, it can remain hidden and undetected, with people who have the condition often able to maintain the appearance of a normal life, despite DID. It is not always the case that DID creates the unusual symptoms with which it has been associated in the past. It only becomes obvious when it gets too much to maintain the appearance of a normal life. The combination of shame and secrecy can leave DID hidden, sometimes even from close family, for many years. Shame colours much of the affected person's experience.Īlong with shame, there is often a desire for privacy and secrecy. As a consequence, accurate diagnosis can be a challenge and it may be that DID is more common than we think. Only on closer questioning do they describe the two essential symptoms. In fact, people with DID who see their doctor for diagnosis often complain of other symptoms for example, depression, anxiety, self-harm, drug or alcohol addiction, eating disorders. However, perhaps because of their traumatic pasts, people with DID complain of a wide range of distressing symptoms. The two essential symptoms which distinguish dissociative identity disorder (DID) from other diagnoses are:įor a person to be diagnosed with DID, these two symptoms must be present. What are the symptoms of dissociative identity disorder? However, it is now becoming more frequently diagnosed. ![]() Also, individuals with DID symptoms may choose not to see a psychiatrist for diagnosis. It is hard to be absolutely certain how common DID is, as accurate diagnosis can be difficult. ![]() Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare condition, diagnosed more often in women than in men.
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