Shirley J. Davis (Morgan)

I live with a condition known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), once known as multiple personality disorder. DID is a very controversial diagnosis among mental health professionals, and I believe I have identified some of the reasons why. The primary causes of some professionals’ inability to accept the diagnosis fall into four categories:

• The DSM criteria
• Disbelief
• Misinformation
• Fear

1. The DSM Criteria

The first problem lies in the DSM criteria for DID:

While this explains the majority of DID symptoms very well, it causes many problems for clinicians. For instance, how do you determine the existence of two or more distinct identities, with changes in behavior and so on, when your client doesn’t present them?

Presenting my alters to a therapist, a psychiatrist, or anyone else isn’t as simple as it may seem. I must genuinely trust someone before they will be aware that I have switched.

I saw the same therapist for many, many years and trusted her more than anyone in the world, yet she met only four of my ego states in all that time. The likelihood of a relative stranger meeting them is slim to none.

The trap many clinicians fall into is believing they must see the alters for themselves before they can diagnose someone with this disorder.

Several well-meaning psychiatrists have told me that they could not in good conscience give me the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder without meeting the others, even though I had been diagnosed by other professionals.

When a professional tells me they cannot diagnose without seeing, I remind them that the symptoms of all mental health disorders are self-reported. Much of psychiatry relies on what the patient reports.

2. Disbelief

The disbelief I am speaking of is disbelief that such horrendous things as those reported by people like me, who live with DID, happen to children. No human, unless entirely heartless, wants to believe the atrocities survivors say were committed against them.

This same disbelief is one of the primary causes of painful denial among survivors themselves. Who on earth would want to admit that caregivers could do such horrendous things to innocents?

Only time, and finding evidence that such things happened, will help both the survivor and the mental health professional climb out of the deep abyss of denial. Even then, denial will raise its ugly head over the years, even after extensive treatment.

It is vital for mental health professionals to keep an open mind and do research to understand that these things do happen to survivors, and that survivors should be believed unless proven otherwise.

3. Misinformation

The third cause, I have determined, is the continual mill of misinformation about DID pouring out of the media. Movies and television shows sensationalize and demonize people like me. If you have seen any of these films and programs, you will know what I mean.

I have been asked whether I have supernatural abilities, like climbing walls, and whether any of my alters are dangerous. The media shapes public opinion, and clinicians are no different. This continual assault on the realities of living with DID is more than unfortunate.

It makes the diagnosis seem unreal, and many clinicians are swayed, while the media continues to use dissociative identity disorder to make money hand over fist.

Please, survivors and providers of mental health services, remember that Hollywood and the people who own television stations are out to make money. They do not offer truthful information about DID and many other mental health disorders; instead, they sensationalize them to sell tickets and advertising time.

4. Fear

The last of my thoughts on why professionals have such a hard time believing in DID is that they are afraid. The stigma of dissociative identity disorder doesn’t just affect the people who live with it; it spills over into the professional world as well.

To believe in and treat DID is to risk your reputation among other clinicians. This maltreatment of professionals by other professionals is so unfortunate. We need open minds to work on this problem honestly and openly, without fear of reprisal. Only then can victims of severe trauma who developed the capacity to dissociate receive fair and lasting treatment.

My Advice

My advice to survivors and professionals alike is not to be afraid. DID isn’t a death sentence, and it can be overcome with lots of guts and determination. No, it is not curable, but it is a disorder that can be healed to the degree that life becomes nearly normal.

I know. I have survived not only the original abuse but nearly three decades of psychotherapy to treat its after-effects. It is not an easy road to travel, but the rewards are enormous.

Soldiers, keep marching, not because someone told you to, but because you are worth it. Don’t let the bastards win; fight!

“Convince yourself every day that you are worthy of a good life. Let go of stress; and breathe. Stay positive; all is well.” — Germany Kent

© Shirley J. Davis. Shared on Ivory Garden with the author’s permission.