seeking to understand DID

Am looking for info on DID. Has anyone ever suspected a loved one may have this? Is there a place to read about experiences or symptoms of persons who are in relationship with people who have not been diagnosed?

hi coper, welcome. at the top of the dissociative disorders page are some "sticky" notes - resources and explanations on the topic of DID. read them and they will have books listed that may help you understand. i read an autobiography about a man who was DID which is kinda less ususal than women - for what reason i don't know. This is the book?

A Fractured Mind: My Life with Multiple Personality Disorder by Robert B. Oxnam, 2005 pub. by Hyperion

there are many many books on the subject from personal stories to educational materials geared toward professionals in the pysch industry.

i hope you find some good things to read and talk to folks here it will help. Don't rush yourself and remember, "Easy Does It"!

leslie and her pixies

Thank you. I'm trying to find my way around on the board.

Hi. My BF has DID and we live through it every day.

The information in those stickies at the top is really good. Orange Blossom sent me a big list of books that is really good, too.
(OB - would you mind if I passed it on?)

Be REALLY careful of trying to diagnose your partner. It can really hurt when the person you love starts telling you (in one form or another) you're crazy. Besides - diagnosis is slippery enough for the professionals. Even THEY can't be 100% sure.

If you want to help, you may be able to SUGGEST some ACTIONS she could take, like going to see a counsellor or suggesting that she talk to her doctor. You can be loving and supportive and patient. You can't fix her...

But read up, by all means. Try to understand. When she needs to talk, listen. And love her.

Thank you. I don't think he's full-blown DID, but he seems to exhibit some characteristics and his childhood was such that he knows he has problems. Also, he has a psych degree and was taught that MPD is very rare. Seems like science is changing it's mind on that or maybe entertaining new ways of seeing it.

There is a whole spectrum of dissociative disorders, and dissociation is possible with numerous other conditions.

Actually, on some level, all psychiatry/psychology is voodoo. Most diagnoses are made from observation of clusters of apparent symptoms - not any empirical, reproducible, concrete test results.

I hope you find what you are looking for, and feel free to ask any questions you like!

Sure Kendyll, of course you can pass it along! I think I PM'ed you books that were more specific regarding a relationships point of view, right? I forget.

Anyway, welcome to PC coper.

I will PM you a website that someone has put together for partners/friends/loved ones who have DID. It might answer some of your questions and concerns.

Thank you Orange Blossom. That may be very helpful.

Hi coper, welcome to Psych Central. Does your husband see a T at all or is he open to seeing one? When I first went to T, it was for something completely different than a dissociative disorder. Since you mentioned that he does realize there are some issues that he struggles with, perhaps he would be open to seeing someone for those? Do you see a T also? It might be helpful for you to get some outside support as well. I can't imagine how hard it must be for others to have to deal with us having DID. Please take care of you as well.

Good luck with everything and please keep us posted.