7. WHAT IS Dissociative Identity Disorder?
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental illness that in-
volves the sufferer experiencing at least two clear identities or
personality states, also called alters, each of which has a fairly
consistent way of viewing and relating to the world
Some individuals with DID have been found to have personality
states that have distinctly different ways of reacting, in terms of
emotions, pulse, blood pressure, and blood flow to the brain.
8. CAUSE
While there is no proven specific cause of DID, the prevailing psychologi-
cal theory about how the condition develops is as a reaction to child-
hood trauma. Specifically, it is thought that one way that some individuals
respond to being severely traumatized as a young child is to wall off, in
other words to dissociate, those memories.When that reaction becomes
extreme, DID may be the result.
9. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Depression
Mood swings
Suicidal tendencies
Sleep disorders (insomnia, night terrors, and sleep walking)
Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias (flashbacks, reactions to stimuli or “trig-
gers”)
Alcohol and drug abuse
Compulsions and rituals
Psychotic-like symptoms (including auditory and visual hallucinations)
Eating disorders
10. DIAGNOSE
There is no specific definitive test, like a blood test, that can accurately assess
that a person has dissociative identity disorder. Therefore, practitioners conduct
a mental-health interview that gathers information, looking for the presence of
the signs and symptoms previously described.
Professionals usually gather facts about the individual’s childhood and ask ques-
tions to explore whether the symptoms that the client is suffering from are not
better accounted for by another mental disorder, dissociative or otherwise.
To make the diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder, a doctor conducts a
thorough psychological interview. A medical examination may be needed to
determine if a physical disorder is present that would explain certain symptoms.
Special questionnaires have been developed to help doctors identify Dissociative
Identity Disorder.
Interviews may need to be prolonged and involve careful use of hypnosis or
drug facilitation. Hypnosis or drug-facilitated interviews may make the person
more likely to allow the doctor to encounter other personalities or to reveal
information about a period for which there is amnesia. However, some doc-
tors feel that hypnosis and drug-facilitated interviews should not be performed
because they believe the techniques can themselves generate symptoms of
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
12. Insanity,
Slipping through the unisphere of my soul,
Staining my mind with the ink,
Drained from the rotting ashes of my cremated heart.
Escape, escape from reality.
Escape from me.
I always knew you would repudiate me.
But it’s a never ending battle, that we both want to loose.
You are not me, this was never me.
Blinded by an idea, we could be one.
and possessed by a feeling, I just can’t shake.
With the gun against your own scull,
I watch you in the faded mirror as you pull the trigger,
It was all a lie,
there is no light.
- Colleen Davies
13. otecting?” The Protector didn’t answer “I’d like to speak with Cora now.” “I told you she’s resting
The Protector.” “The Protector of who?” “The Protector of Cora.” “Why does Cora need pr
! I will not allow her to be harmed!” I have no intention of harming Cora. You have my word.” “
Cora, tell me what you see.” “Cora is resting... I will take it from here.” “Who are you?” “I am
14. il?” “You would not understand The Council.” “Try
Spokesperson for The Council.” “Who is The Counc
me.” “The Council are the watchers of the soul.”
“I am the “I will speak to you.” “Who are you?”
16. “How many others are there? Can you give me their names?” “Cora labels them according to their job. There is The Pr
otector, The Lost Child, The Negatives, who consist of sadness, depression and anxiety, and The Fun Lover. An
think of them as emotions or emotional reactions. You will make better headway with this type of thinking.”
d of course, myself and The Council. Each has their own job according to what Cora needs. It is better to
17. ons to situations in her life?” “F
simply her own emotional reacti
or Cora, this is true, yes.”
“So you’re saying her alters are
19. n on it. Maybe it is time for a....di
” “I see. This puts a different spi
fferent spin as you call it. Can I
speak to the other.....emotions?
20. ” “Not today, but you will. It is vital that Cora bec
omes one with her emotions again. She views them as
to become fragmented. Or shattered, if you prefer.
separate...not a part of herself. This has caused her
