Broken beyond repair

What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Personally, I find this term very unhelpful in understanding this MI. In my mind it seems to suggest that personalities are there only during dissociation, making them more imaginary rather than a reality. They are not an imaginary playmate some children play with.

They are a splitting off from an extremely severe form of abuse, usually multiple abuse. Small children usually produce these escapes, pre school age in my understanding. Often situations are life threatening, and a small child has no way out. It's a very creative and cleaver way of surviving. Often without this skill, the child would not have survived.

There can be two or more personalities.

As with other MIs there are degrees in severity, like bipolar 1 and bipolar 2.

It is not passed down through generations like some MI, like schitzonephrnia .

Not every child going through similar abuse has DID, even siblings.

Thanks @utopia I stopped counting at 60 personalities. I have found they help each other also, so not all the credit goes to me.

@Phoenix_Rising I do understand your fear of losing you TTT, I still go to that place after 13 years, abandonment is a deep scar, needing deep surgery not band aid treatment.

A few year ago my counsellor left her job because the government was placing expectations she disagreed with. I think they were trying to stop long term clients. Anyway, she has opened her own rooms now, with her rules. People can walk in off the street with no referrals. She sees having to go through Drs being beyond many people, causing them to suffer without help. They can have one appointment, or, like me, 13 years later. As long as it works for both of us, it's available. She has part time employment to survive. Changing the world, yes indeed.

A super clever brain, thanks for the vote of confidence.

I have to rest this brain, it's very hot here still, draining. Take care @Phoenix_Rising, nice chatting to you.

One extra small step at a time @utopia, some forward, some backward. Thanks for the credit, WE accept that.

DID is a controversial diagnosis. Many psychiatrists and professionals disagree it exists. DID does exist, I know this.

Social media have presented us to be crazy, dis functional and dangerous. This is untrue. I know this also.

Because of the negative portrayal many DID sufferers feel shame and embarrassment. Many become hermits, fearing judgement and more abusive treatment. We don't have a network of support to lean on through the tough times, and finding an understanding therapist is challenging. I eventually got very lucky there.

DID sufferers are not BAD people. BAD things happened to them.

I was diagnosed when I was 17 years old. Back then, very little was know and written. Depression was also looked upon with shame then also. I was given a diagnosis but no help. I locked it away, along with all my other secrets. I was good at keeping secrets.

Years later and in therapy I tried to uncover my secret. Unfortunately, my psychiatrist did not agree with DID, so the secret remained for many more years.

All I'm hoping to do is help others with this diagnosis feel not so alone. I do know how lonely this road is to walk, believe me.

My counsellor will be doing training for others in our city towards the end of the year. She has asked me to help provide information so we can get the real message out there. We really are just like you, hurting and scared.

@Lemonjuice. See what you think, and join in if you would like. Not obligation though, just what you feel comfortable with.