Diagnosis

Could you share how you went about being diagnosed with whatever forms of this disorder you have?

Did you start sharing experiences with your therapist? Did your therapist suggest you go to someone else for testing? What type of dr do you go to for testing? Is it a psychiatrist or can a therpist who is trained in psychological testing perform the tests? Are there tests to definitely diagnose or is it based on your recollections/experiences or symptoms?

Thanks for sharing what you are willing to share....

I was in my first year or so of college, a psych class requirement was taking a psych eval, contacting a mental health treatment provider and attending weekly therapy sessions for the duration of the class.

I went and the mental health therapist asked me to go through a more thorough evaluation for dissociative disorders due to the fact that she thought she has conversations with two or more alternate personalities with in me. I went to my medical doctor and a psychiatrist. after undergoing many mental and physical health exams/tests the psychiatrist told me I had Dissociative Identity Disorder, what that was and how it was treated on the medical and physical levels based on what problems I had.

some of the testing process for me included MRI, MRA cat scans, EEG, many psychological oral and written tests and much much more.

if you suspect you have a dissociative disorder contact your treatment providers, they can explain the diagnostic process in your location.

I didn't realize I had any dissociative issues until I saw my current dr. He is a medical psycho-therapist, which where I live is the best of all worlds: he can diagnose, prescribe meds and uses psycho therapy, and he is government funded, so I don't have to pay to see him. I was referred to him by a counselor who knew I was looking for a pscytherapist. He is trained in trauma and dissociation, and I went ot him thinking I had complex ptsd. He mentioned that when I talked to him on the phone, I would sound like different people, and after talking about my past, and any related symptoms decided to look into dissociative issues. He has diagnosed me with DDNOS because I do not lose time, even though I switch alters.
Originally I went to see someone for depression, self harm, etc. For 9 years I was misdiagnosed with various mood/personality disorders until I started remembering past abuse when my niece turned the age I was when it started.

Depending on where you live, professionals may have different roles, abilities, training etc. If you are suspicious of a possible dissociative disorder, I would make sure that whoever you see for diagnosis is experienced with trauma/dissociation. Also, be aware that there are doctors who are more likely to 'buy into" (ie believe in) dissociative disorders than others, so usually by asking for someone who is familiar/trained in dissociation will be more likely to believe you, and less likely to trying to get you to prove yourself, as well as being able to identify what could be and could not be included with dissociation. My last psychiatrist would not believe that I had been abused because I was only beginning to admit it when I started seeing him. Therefor he stated that he wouldn't diagnose me with ptsd unless there was physical proof that I had been through abuse.
I would suggest that whoever you are seeing now would be the one to ask. It never hurts to let them know that anytime you hear about "x" symptoms/disorder you feel like they're talking about you...or whatever. They will be able to direct you from there.

Are you having symptoms that you think should be looked into??

After finally admitting our inside people to our t at the time,(& she had a hunch she had been talking to different people anyway) she had us go thru testing with a psychologist. Then as well we went through some testing while in treatment for trauma. We already knew we had DID, but, therapist wanted to make it official i guess. We started realizing there was somethig wrong with us as a young child, as a teen we thought it might be schizophrenia (didnt know back then differences in voices with each diagnosis)

Last year I had my first confirmed incidence of lost time... And then i had another...and then i realized maybe somethings that happened in the past may have been that...

I've always had "conversations" with myself... I used to worry about having schizo because of voices... I sort of "decided" not to acknowledge them...

I'm not sure I want to know what it is...maybe its just me being me

My T says I'm on the dissociative scale but won't tell me where I fall & that worries me. I had a written test for ptsd & it did cover some dissociation issues, but I wasn't tested further. I'd really like to know.
I understand what you're saying, Readytostop, bec I don't know if its just me or something else going on so its like swimming in uncharted waters.
I hear lots of different conversations. I have some that are very angry & some destructive ones so I keep those @ bay, but should I let them out? are they alters or just feelings? I wish someone could tell me.
My T doesn't think its an important part of of the treatment. I find it frustrating.