Life Stone Counseling Centers

SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE WITH
DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER

WHAT IS DISSOCIATIVE
IDENTITY DISORDER (DID)?

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is characterized as an individual having two or more distinct personality states, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). Although this is the main distinction for DID, there are other symptoms that can be an indicator of not only DID, but of dissociation in general.

SUPPORTING SOMEONE WITH DID

What exactly is dissociation, and why is it important to understand? Dissociation is a feeling of disconnect from your environment. This disconnect can manifest in a number of ways, including feeling in a fog, daydreaming, numbing, not remembering things, and more. An individual experiencing dissociation can feel out of control of their mind and body. As with forms of mental illness it can be complicated and confusing to understand how best to support someone with DID, or with dissociation. Kathy Broady, LCSW, explains the most effective ways in suuporting someone with DID in her article 10 Tips for Spouses and Partners of Survivors with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder

- Someone I Know has Multiple Personalities By Sandra Hocking
- A Closer Look at Dissociative Identity Disorder, OZBlog
- A Closer Look at Dissociative Identity Disorder, Part 2, OzBlog
- Dissociative Identity Disorder: Understanding the Reality Behind the Myths