Thursday, October 5, 2017

Newly diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder..here is what you need to know

1) So you've been diagnosed with DID. Don't panic. You've been a Multiple for many, many years. The only difference is you now have a name for why you've always felt different. Don't try and wrap your brain around finding alters, searching for memories, worrying about the number of alters or the whole integration debate.
You and your "system" or family of alters/people were built for survival. You can do this.
2) Keep a log and a journal out on a table or desk and check them often. A log is for writing down the day-to-day stuff like when medication was taken, when you went ti bed and got up, what you ate for lunch, any appointments or places you have to be, etc.
A journal is personal. It's for you and your alters to write about whatever is on your mind. You can write about any issues, concerns, flashbacks, nightmares, triggering or bothersome experiences, etc. You can leave a note, an entry for other alters to see. Say, if you have a question about who bought a new, unexplained teddy bear, just ask who bought it and who it is for. If you can't remember the name of your fourth grade teacher, just ask. Someone in your system will know. If you go to therapy make a habit of writing a few sentences about it when you get home.
3) Find a Therapist. This is important. It's good to have an objective, trained professional help you understand about what DID is and how to start healing.
You do not need a specifically trained or highly experienced therapist. Out of the 4 therapists I've had since diagnosis, only 1 had specific DID training. My other 3 worked just as well for me.
Here is what I look for in a therapist:
They have to fully believe that DID exists.
She needs to be smart, kind, caring and have good boundaries. Those are the most important qualities. I also like a therapist who has her own act together, listens well and talks little about herself. I Do benefit by having a therapist that has experience in working with sexual abuse. That's kinda a huge bonus, nay, a necessity.
Some Multiples can do just fine without therapy. Others, like myself, choose to work on freeing all the traumatic memories like a full time job. Living alone without family or close friends, I require a therapist for stability and healing.
4) Try and create a safe home environment whereby you aren't living with your abusers or enablers. It can be difficult to do but it's really hard to heal living with people that have or still do, hurt you.
5) Consider applying for disability if you are unable to work. There is Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income. Many Multiples are able to hold down full time jobs. However, if you are like me and unable to work enough hours to sustain yourself, look into the possibility of applying for disability.
I'll not kid you, there will be ups and downs. It will get better!! You got this.

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