Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Understand what a dissociative identity disorder is
• Method 2 of 3: Support a person with dissociative identity disorder
• Method 3 of 3: Control switching
• Tips
• Warnings

Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder, can be a debilitating and frightening illness for both the person with DID and others in his or her life. DID is characterized by the development of alternative states of being or identities. It is a controversial disorder, so people with DID can suffer from extreme stigma. Treat a person with DID with compassion to promote their well-being.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Understand what a dissociative identity disorder is

1. Know the symptoms. DID is characterized by the presence of alternative identities, often referred to as alters. These identities are often complex, with their own unique history and physical and behavioral characteristics. For example: An adult can have a child as an alter ego. You may notice changes in speech and physical movement, in addition to changes in posture and preferences. As the different alters come along, the person may report amnesia or blackouts as he or she may not know when an alter is present. Switching between alters is referred to as "switching"
   • People with DID may also suffer from anxiety, depression, self-harm, sleep disturbances, and / or drug and alcohol abuse.
   • The severity of the symptoms varies from individual to individual.
2. Don't be ready with your judgment right away. People with mental illness often do not seek or adhere to treatment because of the stigma associated with mental illness. This may be especially true for people with DID, as it is not widely accepted as a disorder, despite its inclusion in the DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which describes diagnostic criteria for all mental disorders. Do not contribute to the shame and shame that a person with DID often feels anyway.
   • Recognize how difficult it must be to deal with the reactions of others. This shows that you understand the complexity of living with a mental disorder.
3. If you know the person, ask questions. If the person is a friend or family member, ask about their experiences to show that you care. Strangers can be very uncomfortable with questions about their mental health, so don't go fishing.
   • Ask the other person how they feel before and after "switching" to gain a better understanding of their experience.
   • Show your empathy by recognizing how scary, confusing, and frustrating these experiences must be.

Method 2 of 3: Support a person with dissociative identity disorder

1. Just be there for the other. Shame and stigma often make people with mental disorders feel very isolated. Help the person maintain a healthy relationship by actively reaching out to them. There is no need to discuss DID. In fact, it may be better to spend time together and not talk about the disorder. This can help the other to feel "normal".
   • Try to meet weekly to make sure you keep in touch regularly.
   • Find an activity that you can do together to talk about something other than DID.
2. Join a support group. Support groups are great for meeting others with similar experiences. Suggest attending a support group together and showing your support.
   • DID is quite uncommon, so it can be difficult to find a support group specifically for this disorder in your area. Big cities may have dissociative disorder groups, but in smaller towns you may want to look for support groups dedicated to general mental health.
   • If you can't find a support group in your area, consider joining an online support group.
3. Become a lawyer. Show the person that you care and want to support them by joining an advocacy group. This gives you even more knowledge and the opportunity to feel useful.
   • Encourage the other to join you. Joining an advocacy group can help him or her better understand his or her social experiences and overcome stigma.

Method 3 of 3: Control switching

1. Help avoid triggers. Trauma is common in people with DID, and dissociation is generally associated with severe emotional stress. This means that intense emotions can lead to "switching." To help a person with DID avoid switching / switching, you help them recognize and manage stressful situations. If you notice that an encounter is becoming emotionally charged, you can discharge it by changing the subject or asking the person to participate in a completely different activity.
   • Drugs and alcohol can also cause "switching", so discourage their use.
2. Introduce yourself. If you are present when an alter ego presents itself, you may not be aware of that identity. In that case, the person may become confused or scared. Reassure the person by introducing yourself and explaining how you know him or her.
   • If the person with DID is your partner, it may be better to imagine some alter egos as their husband or wife. A child's alter can become very confused, and an alter of a different gender can become upset because of the consequences of the sexual identification.
3. Encourage the person to continue treatment. Treatment for DID usually includes regular counseling and lifestyle adjustments. People who suffer from depression and / or anxiety can also be treated with medication. Treatment must be monitored to be effective, so support the individuals' efforts to adhere to it.
   • Encourage the person to attend the therapeutic sessions by offering to join.
   • Lifestyle changes usually involve a healthy diet, regular exercise, and abstinence from drugs and alcohol. You can encourage sticking to these changes by handling them yourself, at least while you are with the person being treated.
   • Suggest that the person sets an alarm for taking medication as prescribed.
   • If the person indicates that he or she does not want to cooperate or is thinking about it, urge that person to talk to his or her doctor about treatment options.

Tips

• Physical health contributes to mental health, so encourage a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Warnings

• If you are concerned that the person could harm themselves or others, get help immediately.
• Stopping certain medications suddenly can be dangerous. Encourage anyone considering discontinuing medication to consult their physician first.
• Recreational drugs and alcohol can increase the frequency and severity of symptoms and should be avoided.