Multiple Personality Disorder or DID: Diagnosis & Treatment Options

A Quick Guide

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is characterized by the presence of multiple distinct personalities or alters. Trauma is closely linked to the development of DID, particularly early-life abuse or neglect. Diagnosing DID can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other mental disorders. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with relaxation techniques and art therapy. Medication may be used to manage co-occurring disorders. Having a strong support system is important for managing DID.

Overview of Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder was formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder or Split Personality Disorder. DID is a part of several other dissociative disorders. Dissociation in these disorders refers to a loss of connection between a person’s thoughts, actions, memories feelings, and sense of identity. 

DID is characterized as a person having more than two distinct personalities with their own personal histories, thoughts, behaviors, feelings, etc. A person may still retain their host personality also known as a core identity. The other identities are known as alters. A person with DID can have up to 100 alters. As for how a shift occurs between these personalities, well it’s actually due to some stressor or a trigger.

Research suggests that there is a clear link between trauma and Dissociative Identity disorder. This trauma may be in the form of repetitive physical, mental, or sexual abuse or it could also be due to ongoing neglect or emotional abuse during the early stages of development. 

To know more about the causes of DID, check out our article: Dissociative Identity Disorder DID: Causes, Risk Factors & Outlook

How is DID diagnosed?

Dissociative identity disorder takes time to diagnose. This is due to the fact that many different mental diseases share a lot of the same symptoms that a person with a dissociative disorder exhibits. 

For instance, many patients with dissociative disorders also have overlapping diagnoses for anxiety, depression, and borderline or other personality disorders.

Treatment options for DID

For DID, there is no specific treatment. Mental health professionals usually plan out a strategy based on a person’s individual case. It should also be noted that DID cannot be cured completely. The majority of people live their entire lives managing the disease. 

Though, a combination of therapies can help in managing the symptoms of DID. 

A person can learn to develop better self-control over their actions. They can eventually perform more effectively at work, at home, or in their community.

How can Psychotherapy help with DID?

The primary form of treatment for DID patients is psychotherapy. Techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT may be able to assist a person in processing and coming to terms with the triggers that lead to personality changes.

Psychotherapy in DID tries to support a person’s identity integration and assist them in developing coping mechanisms for traumatic events.

Other therapies for DID

The use of relaxation techniques, movement therapy, and art therapy may all be beneficial in the treatment of DID. In a low-stress setting, these techniques might assist people in connecting different parts of their minds.

Some medical professionals advise combining hypnotherapy and psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a type of guided meditation. It might aid individuals in recovering memories that have been suppressed.

Medication Options

Since there is no pharmacological treatment for the condition, primarily different therapies are used for managing Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Furthermore, to achieve overall improvement, co-occurring disorders including depression or substance use disorders must be treated. Because anxiety and depression are common co-occurring disorders with the symptoms of dissociative disorders, medications to manage those conditions may occasionally be administered in combination with psychotherapy.

Outlook

Living with DID can be easier to handle if you have a solid support network. Hence, it is important to ensure that your family and friends are aware of and supportive of your illness. Be honest and upfront with the people in your support system, and don’t be embarrassed to ask for assistance.

We hope you found this article useful in understanding more about the diagnosis and treatment options for DID or Multiple Personality Disorder.