People manage several mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUD). Common co-occurring disorders include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, another potential co-occurring disorder individuals might experience with SUD is dissociative identity disorder (DID).
March 5th is Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day and Multiple Personality Day. If you think you may be struggling with either DID or SUD, or even both concurrently, this may be an excellent time to learn more about these conditions. Seeking treatment for your co-occurring disorders is vital for recovery.
Talk to a doctor or medical provider to learn more about symptoms, DID, SUD, and your options for treatment today.
Research describes DID as a “rare psychiatric disorder diagnosed in about 1.5% of the global population.” Individuals with this condition experience two or more distinct personalities.
For years, DID was referred to as multiple personality disorder, though new research shows DID a more appropriate name for the condition. Severe childhood trauma or abuse may be a leading factor in its development.
Dissociation occurs when we disconnect from our thoughts and feelings and, in most cases, our memories and identity. Trauma often leads people to dissociate. While dissociating can be a normal response to a distressing situation, DID occurs when dissociation happens unprompted and is so intense it requires treatment.
People may dissociate for many reasons. Dissociation is a brain response that attempts to protect itself in response to traumatic events. Doing so removes harmful thoughts and memories of trauma from a person. Unfortunately, this can also lead to dissociation entirely from their personalities, which can cause other personas to emerge. DID goes beyond avoiding bad memories. Individuals with this condition develop multiple distinct and individual personas, each of whom has specific histories, preferences, personalities, memories, mannerisms, and more.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this chronic condition. It can, however, be treated. Individuals who think they may be struggling with DID must get a proper medical diagnosis. Some signs and symptoms may help you identify whether you may have the condition.
Some of the signs and symptoms associated with DID, according to the Mayo Clinic, include:
As mentioned, this condition requires diagnosis. Discuss concerns with a medical provider if you recognize these signs within yourself or a loved one to learn more about treating DID.
The Mayo Clinic also describes the three dissociative disorders defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Those major disorders include:
This condition is defined by severe memory loss about an event, your identity, or other details of your life. An episode can last minutes, hours, or in some cases, months and years.
DID, as mentioned, is characterized by the presence of multiple personalities. You may be aware of numerous “people” living inside your head. These personalities are unique and are sometimes aware of the other identities.
The third major dissociative disorder is depersonalization-derealization disorder. This condition is characterized by a constant sense of detachment from yourself. You may feel you are observing your thoughts, actions, and feelings from a distance. It is almost like, instead of experiencing life; you are watching your life like a movie. Many individuals may begin to question what they see, making it difficult to distinguish reality from perception.
Like other mental health conditions, DID can improve and be maintained with treatment. However, it can not be cured. DID can typically be managed with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination. Treatments may vary depending on the severity of the disorder.
Psychotherapies — such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) — are the primary treatment method. It helps you discuss your disorders and issues with DID while your therapist can begin determining the cause. Over time, therapy can teach you ways to cope with DID and help you tackle the trauma that led to it.
Medications may be used in treatment, though they do not specifically treat DID. Instead, they help mitigate other symptoms you may experience. It is not uncommon for individuals with this condition to experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Medications help manage those symptoms so you can focus on healing from DID.
DID has many short- and long-term side effects that can cause complications in your life. Unfortunately, one long-term effect is substance use, which can quickly lead to dependency or addiction.
DID and addiction are associated in the same way as other co-occurring disorders. Many people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. The line between an unhealthy coping mechanism such as these and SUD is relatively thin and may require an addiction treatment program down the road.
When you develop substance use disorder (SUD), it is not uncommon to develop other mental health conditions too. Conversely, it is extremely common for a mental health condition to cause people to use substances to cope with symptoms, leading to SUD. Individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID) experience the presence of multiple personalities, each with unique histories and characteristics. DID is typically a response to trauma as the brain sometimes dissociates to help people avoid harmful memories. However, DID can become so severe it requires treatment. Substance use can exacerbate your DID symptoms, and recovery requires dual diagnosis treatment for SUD and DID. For addiction and mental health treatment, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
