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Originally Posted by tara_922
Hiya AmandaLouise,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me. What you described sounds like the terrifying prospect it is. So, can these alters take over and I not know it but am still functioning as if I were in charge? Like being able to do my job and go to school. Still knowing how to drive. Or do I always lose control and start acting different so other people can tell? I've only really heard of extreme cases and seen the portrayal on the American soap opera, One Life to Live. The way they portray it is my worst nightmare. They portray the real me being stuck inside my head with the other alters trying to figure out how to get out again. I did have one major dissociative episode seven years ago where I experienced that, like I described earlier.
What type of therapy helps best. I've noticed while in thought today that the number of prominent thought patterns that are morphing into personalities quite rapidly are increasing. At first there were three now there are probably five maybe six. I thought that one of the ones that is new was just a different one changing but looking closer at it I can tell them apart. They try to pretend like they are the same but I know better. That sounds a little paranoid, but whatever. I just need to be honest and figure out what the heck to do.
BTW, I'd like to suggest we have a double thanks on posts, so I can double thank you for your post. Your description, although terrifying, was extremely helpful in allowing me to understand.
Love and many hugs,
Tara
P.S. Sitting here typing I just remembered that when I drink I use a different name. It's a name of a childhood friend. I mean I don't just have one drink and then tell everybody my name is Tanya. I have to be beyond the point of knowing that I'm drinking. Pretty much I have to be drunk. Is that part of d.i.d.? Or is that just some weird thing I do?
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being drunk then saying you are other names no thats just part of being drunk. booze has that affect on some people where they lose their inhibitions and gain a lose tongue and say and do all kinds of things that are true and not true and say things they dont mean to say. thats why the diagnostic criteria for DID says right in it the problems cannot be because of things like drugs and alcohol. some people act, think,... as if they are completely different type people when they are drunk vs when they are sobor which mimics how some people are when they have DID. since that problem only happens when you are drunk its not considered part of the DID.
the alters taking over yes thats what the diagnostic criteria states alternate personalities do they recurrently take control.
you not knowing about it. sometimes yes sometimes no. theres a symptom called co consciousness and forgetfulness (amnesia). that means how aware of your alters you are, whether you know or dont know when you switch, share the alters memories and actions. to fit the diagnostic criteria you must have at least two alters which you share nothing with, which you have no control of. Most people with DID have a mixture of alters they are aware of and alters they are not aware of. Some have no awareness and a rare few have total awareness except for the two alters that the diagnostics look for.
Types of therapy - what ever works for you is what works for DID. if CBT helps you to deal with all your issues then thats what you do, if DBT works for you thats what you do,if trauma work is what works for then thats what you do, if antianxiety meds work for you then thats what you do. if working on your depression, PTSD or any other problems you have works for you thats what you do. if outpatient works for you thats what you do. if inpatient works for you thats what you do. if having a non specialized mental health provider works for you thats what you do, if having a mental health provider that specializes in Dissociative Disorders works for you thats what you do.
therapy is individualized based on what each clients needs are.