Back in 2009-2010 I was 21 and kicked out of my home by my alcoholic mother. There was a lot of stress of being homeless and jobless (I lost my job less than 30 days before getting kicked out). I soon found a place to stay with my friend and her family but my emotions were chaotic. Everything was swinging to the extreme.

I began experiencing black outs and waking up in strange places around the city. I didn't have access to a car so at least I never went too far. I didn't have health insurance and no money so I never saw a doctor about it.

I also began dating which eventually devolved into an abusive relationship.

After a few months of these blackouts I began to notice a... a pressence? In my mind there was something else. SomeONE else. It was like talking to myself... but with feelings and images instead of words.

This pressence had her own name and wants. She was a guardian of sorts. Someone who could take charge and DEAL with a situation.

Then there was another. She too had a name and wants. She was a pleaser for the man I was dating.

When that guy and I broke up I was physically alone but I wasn't really.

Then I began dating my now husband and very quickly the 2 pressences faded away. My living situation stabilized and so did my emotions.

I never saw a single doctor about this and actually forgot about the whole thing until I saw Dr. Phil yesterday about the woman with 10 programs. She describes herself similarly to how I felt back then.

Can dissociative identity disorder be a temporary thing?