i think my sister has DID

Now, I know that I can't diagnose her, and neither can anyone but a professional. But if she does have it, that would certainly explain a lot! (long story) The thing is, she doesn't even believe DID exists (she used to, but thought it was a result of being possessed by demons). Any suggestions for how I can treat her, or if I should mention it--or whatever?

About ten years ago when i finally told my sister that i had been diagnosed with DID, she sounded so relieved and said "that makes your entire life make more sense now!" She said she just always "knew" somehow, she just didnt know what to call it.

Maybe you could just let her know that no matter what, you will support her? Maybe you can read some books on DID?

Does your sister have a T or pdoc?

No she doesn;t--she doesn't even believe that DID exists (and I'm not sure thats even what she has). But she does not believe she even needs to see a T or pdoc. She avoids anything to do with medical stuff like the plague. She thinks that if she just keeps reading her Bible, and eating health food that she will magically "feel better" one day.

What do you mean by "treat her" ?

only her treatment providers can take care of her mental disorder problems.

if you mean treat her as in how you should act around her... act the same way you have been since the day she was born. she is a human being. the mental disorder just names what has already been happening since she was under the age of 5 yrs old. so treat her like the sister she is, and the sister you have always known.

you mentioning you ***think*** she may have DID isnt going to do anything., especially since she hasnt been diagnosed by a professional and she doesnt believe such a diagnosis exists..

leave the diagnostic discussions up to her treatment providers. and be the sister which is your relationship to her.

by the way just because you have read up on a mental disorder and ***think*** someone has that does not mean they do..

example I know someone who went online and believed those who were not their treatment provider when they told him his symptoms were DID.. that guy is now dead because he had cancer. the cancer way making him dissociative, appear to have different personalities taking control, having memory problems similar to that of dissociatve's.

my bringing it up to her and trying to get her to believe in the diagnosis could ultimately kill your sister if DID is not why she is having these symptoms you ***think*** she has.

my suggestion leave her mental health issues up to her to deal with and be a sister to her. if at some point she feels she has a mental problem she will contact treatment providers who will then diagnose her problems and treat her for them.

trying to diagnose friends and family usually ends up with disastrous results, as does trying to confront someone who does not believe they have that problem family and friends are telling them that they have.

Maybe she would talk to a member of her clergy and if they recommended a T or pdoc she would go especially if T or pdoc were Christian.

the only thing is--she doesn't believe that DID even exists and she doesnt think she needs therapy--and she doesn't go to church because she thinks all other Christians are against her.

Your sister needs to be treated by a professional when she is able to trust people again. Even if/when she does get treatment the lines are blurred between psychiatry and spirituality for a while. I have been where she is and its a very lonely place.

Just be a caring sister and talk to her when you can.