[Astridetal]

Okay, this title sound smor enegative than it is meant, but this was basically our conclusion in therapy last week. I have dissociative identity disorder, diagnosed in late 2010. My therapist has no experience with this, and tried treating me for it anyway. We got stuck pretty soon, because my therapist expected me to be able to control the dissociation and stay in front all or most of the time after only a few months of treatment. This is unrealistic, and I think I need help with such things as emotion regulation and cooperation between the alters before I can even consider making the alters disappear. My therapist last week admitted she doesn't know how to help me with this, and that her understanding of DID treatment is when you've gotten to know your alters (which I did on my own long before diagnosis) you can begin to prepare for integration.

The good thing about my therapist admitting she can't treat me, is that she's going to look for a therapist who can. This most likely means going out of area, as there are no trauma treatment centers near my city anyway and the two that are closest by don't take new referrals. I found out that the center in The Hague has a relatively short waiting list. I don't know about full DID treatment (aaverage wait at closer by trauma centers is two years), but they start a skills training program for people with DID/DDNOS next January and they still have room for new participants. Now this wouldn't likely be an optiion for me yet (also considering distance, the place is about 80 miles away from where I live and I'm dependent on public transportation), but maybe it will be a door open to me someday.

My therapist did warn me that if I wanted DID treatment, this would ultimately mean integrating the alters. Now she doesn't understand what integration means, and I heard from several fellow DID'ers that the goal of treatment for some is coopertion and that you certainly shouldn't expect integration within the first few years of therapy. I really do hope anyway that I can get into treatment someday. As I said the average wait at treatment centers that are relatively near here, is tw years, but it is better to have some perspective than none at all.

[~EnlightenMe~]

I hope you find somone who can help you as soon as you can. I'm sorry your therapist can't help you, but I think she told you in a compassionate, caring way. Will she let you see her until you find someone else or what? Take care!

[Wren_]

it does sound positive really because it's good she admits that she lacks the skills and experience you need. Sorry it means needing to find someone else though. that can be especially hard when DID is so little understood by so many including some therapists who claim to be experts For some the goal is integration, for others that is not the goal; this isn't something the therapist should be choosing. While you wait; are there other things your T can help you with? maybe acknowledging the DID but seeing what else you can work on while you wait for more help. Nice if you can have some support going on

[adel34]

Hi,
I'm sorry your therapist admitted she can't treat you. But it seems like she tried her best. And that you're looking into what your options are and that's great! I know there are some others on PC with DID that might be a good resource for you. I don't have this diagnosis so don't know about how treatment usually goes, but I really hope the best for you and that you find someone who is knowledgable very soon.

[emptyspace]

I think it is nice that your T tried to treat you; however the reality is that you need a T who has worked with DID clients. There are "guidelines" written for the treatment of DID, but a T only gets good at it by working with dissociative clients.

For example, integration may not be the goal, but co-conscious between the parts so that you do not lose enormous amounts of time may be a better goal. Internal safety, communication between parts, understanding the role of your parts are important.

You said there is a 2-year waiting period? What about therapists working in private practice? or a community health clinic? These therapists are likely to have treated many trauma survivors. I would look for a therapist that is a trauma specialist and then specifically ask about dissociation. Therapists trained in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and psychodynamic methods might be a good place to start.

Good luck.

Im sorry your therapist said that. Ive been there...its hard. My t took seven years to admit it to me. I have DID as well.
Before i forget though. Integration is not necessariy the be all and end all of treatment for DID. It isnt for everyone. You do not have to integrate if you dont want to, so i hope youdont feel pressured. Many people choose not to integrate, just want to learn to cooperate and get along inside (which is my goal)
I hope you can find someone really well trained to help you out. It made a big difference for me. I have the best trauma/DID t there is andi just love her. I hope you can find the help youre looking for.