BrandiKy4Me writes "I've been diagnosed with depression and now schizophrenia, but in my heart and head I've known all along someone else was with me. One question though, does anyone relate to having loss of memory? Mine usually comes after going to sleep. My husband says, I change and have fun playing half the night, yet I have no memory of any of it. Also, how do I find a doctor who will be more understanding of my condition? My current doctor simply frowned and shook his head... thank you.
Whoa!
Red flags flying here! Trust your gut on this, I believe you are multiple based on your hubby's observations. It can be difficult to locate a doctor who treats multiples, or has any experience with them. There are several places online that can refer you to someone in your area, I think the Sidran Foundation can do it (check Emily's Links). HealthyPlaces.com also has a referral page. I would definitely find someone who can help you unravel the mystery.
JenniferBrandikay: People with dissociative disorders, or MPD, are very often misdiagnosed, sometimes for years. It is very important what you feel about your own inner workings, and you are probably right on. But many psychiatrists, as differentiated from psychologists, want medicines to do their work for them. The therapists with the MD degree don't have time for talk therapy, with a few exceptions. The new beliefs are now to combine medication with talk therapy too. The psychiatrist may, or may not, recommend you see another mental health professional for talking things through. I would recommend you look for an additional therapist who says he treats DID or MPD. They often work in conjunction with the psychiatrist you're seeing. I hope I'm not talking down to you here, as I don't know the specific details of your problem with your T. I went thru all this. It was quite a rude awakening to discover that my shrink with MD degree was only listening to me talk about my personal stuff so he could see how my medicine was working! Don't be discouraged. I know it's tough to go through this technical stuff when you just wish somebody would care and help!
Restin Wells
Krissigirl writes "If you know the identities of some of the "alters" is it important to determine who has what specific purpose or responsibility? Also, is it necessary to actually integrate my alters? Some of them could go; but there are a few that have taken care of me all my life and I don't like the thought of living alone (without their assistance). I have a therapist, but I have not told him about the "others." No one knows about them but me... and now you. I'm too afraid to tell anyone. I'm not crazy!!!
Hi,
It sure is important to know who can do what inside! I think you are a little confused about integration, it doesn't involve loss. In fact, quite the opposite, it means you are capable of everything the alter that integrates was capable of, you don't lose them, you gain their essence. The only loss to speak of is the ability to hear or see them inside once they have blended. But, you will still see their behavior manifesting outwardly, and hear their voice coming out of your mouth. You will feel them with you, as an integrated part of you.No, you are not crazy. DID is a way of coping with others' insanity, or the abuse the insane inflicted upon you. I would begin hinting at your therapist, just to see how he feels about it, a lot of therapists deny the existence of multiples, LOL. It is important to feel accepted just as you are. The gift of multiplicity is a blessing to help you cope with the unfathomable.
JenniferKrissigirl: Yes, I believe it's essential to define your alters and know what their part is within you. But you must go in peace, as a mediator, not a judge. Some are very fragile and hurting and need to be approached very gradually. Some want to take you over, and you need to draw boundaries for them without being too rough. If you switch a lot unconsciously, have lost time, and do things you disapprove of, you need a good therapist to help you become co-conscious.
In regard to integration, it's a touchy word for people with alters. Therapists need to realize this, as sometimes they don't seem to know how real alters are. This isn't a make-believe story that isn't really happening, and therapists can get themselves in a predicament while alters are listening in from inside the protective caves of the patient's unconscious. Neither you nor the therapist should carelessly comment that the alter will die away, or cease to exist, or blend in to disappear. Not much chance you will drag that alter out to be "worked on" by you, or anyone else. Betrayal is always a concern of alters, as such is what caused it to hide anyway.
What seems to happen in good therapy is that the alter is accepted into your conscious inner selfhood, then helped to mature and adjust to your needs in trying to make it in the real world. Some needs and beliefs of an alter will change, or drop off, as the alter realizes they aren't so good after all. Whether or not a patient eventually leaves behind an alter is entirely up to a natural unfolding., and the alter. It isn't sick to picture or entertain other members of an inner family. It's also okay to let them stay the age you found them. It's okay to be them awhile as they learn to behave.
The good things about them remain, while the scared, miserable stuff is healed forever. The important thing is to establish some peace inside, get control of your life, and do the things you need to do to live a decent lifestyle.
Should you tell other people about your alters? It depends on you, and your alters too. You may be speaking from a tough alter when you tell a friend, but a weaker one takes over later. So, be careful. Friends are going to be understanding sometimes, but irritated other times. Tell someone you trust, but it's probably best not to get too heavy with it. The T is being paid to listen, so tell him anything you please any time.. .just kidding. But the T should be with you on this subject. If you find yourself constantly having to defend that you have an alter, it's hard to get past first base there. If you haven't told yet, I would go at it from an angle and ask a general question.
Some therapists believe in DID, but believe your sickness is that you believe you are DID. They will want to convince you you're not, or give you a drug to make it disappear. If that's what you want, that's okay, but it's important to know where your T stands. Some therapists are open minded and really would welcome the honor of studying into this with you. It isn't easy to diagnose sometimes, so don't be too hard on a T who hasn't picked up on it. They are human, too, and the schools many go to still play it down. Sometimes they do know you're DID, but aren't sure you are ready. I, myself, would require someone to at least believe and start working with it, when they find it.
Restin Wells
Submit
your ideas for these questions
