Living Day-to-Day with DID/MPD - DID/MPD

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

lovey: How long is the treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Dr. Noblitt: Unfortunately, DID/MPD requires lengthy treatment. The briefest case I had took six months. Most individuals, however, are in therapy for years. It should be pointed out, however, that many individuals will develop some skills in managing dissociation within the first few months of treatment. Others may have the symptoms of depression and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) reduce sometime later in therapy.

Treatment for DID seems to progress in steps and stages. Individuals with more severe symptoms usually take longer than individuals with milder symptoms.

wlaura: In your treatment of DID patients, what is their life like after integration? Are there residual problems related to the abuse?

Dr. Noblitt: Some individuals are disabled prior to treatment and periodically hospitalized to address their disabling condition. Many of these individuals are able to obtain employment and experience significant improvements in their functioning such that they no longer require hospitalization. However, in my experience, patients who have successfully completed treatment still have some residual

advertisement

problems. Treatment for DID does not completely wipe clean the effects of trauma.

luckysurvivor: I suffer from DID and bipolar disorder and work and manage to survive, although I am suicidal a lot. My biggest emotional pain is an alter that is destroying relationships I have with people. Now I have no friends. I don't know how to reason with her anymore. Any suggestions?

Dr. Noblitt: It would be helpful to understand the alter's motivation. Some alters destroy relationships because they fear closeness with others, sometimes because they were betrayed in a close relationship. That particular alter will need to work in therapy to resolve her fear of vulnerability and to develop better interpersonal skills.

jjjamms: I am highly functional when it comes to working - it's the interpersonal relationships that are hard. How does one reach out with DID? It's very isolating.

Dr. Noblitt: There is no easy answer to this dilemma. It takes much effort and work to overcome. I would encourage you to bring this up with your therapist. Together, you may be able to formulate a specific plan for expanding your social life.

Different approaches seem to work for different people. Some individuals develop a sense of closeness with others in a support group (although this does not work for everyone). Some people can make social contacts through a church or synagogue. Sometimes it is possible to develop social relationships at work.

This is a very important goal and I wish you luck in achieving it. Most individuals with DID who expand their social network soon notice improvements in their mood and quality of life. It is difficult to change one's lifestyle when one has been living like a recluse for years, but I have known people who have succeeded through their perseverance.

eveinaustralia:I live in Australia and I have been refused talk therapy because I stopped taking the Psychiatrist's drugs (my significant other and I thought they were making me worse). Do you believe that MPD people have to take drugs and that it's okay to refuse therapy without them? Also, why are the drugs so important to MPD people?

Dr. Noblitt:I believe in the patient's right to choose aspects of therapy that are helpful and reject those that they feel are not helpful. I do not think that therapists should require that their patients take medications unless such medications treat a life threatening condition (such as HIV).

I believe no patient, DID or otherwise, should be forced to take psychoactive medications without their consent.

David: If you haven't been on the main HealthyPlace.com site yet, I invite you to take a look. There are over 9000 pages of content. http://www.healthyplace.com

HealthyPlace.com is broken down into different communities. And so some of the questions about depression, for instance, can be answered by the reading through the sites and "conf. transcripts" in the Depression Community.

We also have a very large self injury community.

Between the sites and the "conf. transcripts," you will find a lot of information on almost every mental health topic.

We have a few more questions, then we'll call it a night.

katerinathepoet: Hello Dr. Noblitt, I have had Multiple Personality Disorder most of my life. I was wondering how I can get my husband to understand MPD. He is not comfortable with me and doesn't understand it all. We do not have enough money for therapy, so any suggestions on how to get him to understand my MPD?

Dr. Noblitt: You might consider contacting the Sidran Foundation for literature that can explain your condition to him. You might also want to explore possibilities of obtaining Medicaid, Medicare, or some other form of subsidized funding for treatment. You can also consider pastoral counseling with a therapist skilled in DID issues.

sherry09: What do you do when the children are screaming in your head because they are still in the past?

Dr. Noblitt: This problem falls within the realm of developing self-soothing and grounding skills. Sometimes self-talk can be helpful, reminding them that they are not in any danger at the present time, letting them observe their present environment. Other soothing and calming strategies can be helpful as well.