Do people with dissociative identity disorder talk to themselves?

Although not everyone experiences DID the same way, for some the “alters” or different identities have their own age, sex, or race. Each has their own postures, gestures, and distinct way of talking. Sometimes the alters are imaginary people; sometimes they are animals.

Do people with DID know they have two personalities?

In the past, DID was known as multiple personality disorder. People with DID have two or more distinct personalities. They do not present as simple changes in traits or moods. A person with DID expresses significant differences between these alternate identities, which can also be referred to as alters.

Can someone with DID drive?

Occasionally everyone has minor problems integrating their memories, perceptions, identity, and consciousness. For example, people may drive somewhere and then realize that they do not remember the drive.

Can a person with dissociative identity disorder ever fully recover from it?

They can, but they usually do not. Typically those with dissociative identity disorder experience symptoms for six years or more before being correctly diagnosed and treated. Is dissociation really a disorder or a coping mechanism?

What are the symptoms of dissociative disorders?

Those with dissociative disorders experience persistent amnesia, depersonalization, derealization or fragmentation of identity that actually interferes with the normal process of working through and putting into perspective traumatic or stressful experiences.

Do schizophrenics sometimes experience dissociative identity disorder?

Yes. They are sometimes misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia, because their belief that they have different identities could be interpreted as a delusion. They sometimes experience dissociated identities as auditory hallucinations (hearing voices).

How can residential treatment help someone with dissociative identity disorder?

The realities of dissociative identity disorder are understandably stressful for the family as well as for the person at the center of it. Early treatment is the best assurance for a successful recovery. Residential treatment, in particular, allows an individual to be immersed in healing practices and perspective.