Multiple Personalities Support Group
Dissociative identity disorder is a diagnosis described as the existence in an individual of two or more distinct identities or personalities, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. At least two of these personalities are considered to routinely take control of the individual's behavior, and there is also some associated memory loss,...
Hello everyone
My name is Tom. I just have some feelings and questions. Just so you all know, I'm a member of the paranoia, depression, bisexuality, sexual abuse, bipolar disorder and loneliness support groups. I have been through/have those "problems". I just wanted to throw that in so you all know some background about me, it may help you answer my questions.
I'm not sure if this has to do with my bipolar or not, but I feel like this is a better place to post this about because it seems more similar. I know I don't have multiple personality disorder, I don't not remember things, I've never had any of the experiences many of you have had, but are there other more mild similar things that one can have? Because I honestly feel as if there are two different people in me. One "personality" of mine will do things that will hurt the other and vise versa. What I mean is, when one wants one thing, the other does the other therefore ruining anything and everything I want to do. It's so much more complicated than this, but I can't explain it well enough.
Now I'm thinking this may just be a part of my bipolar and changes that every bipolar person goes through, but I don't have a therapist right now and I just wanted to hear yalls input.
Thanks.
My name is Tom. I just have some feelings and questions. Just so you all know, I'm a member of the paranoia, depression, bisexuality, sexual abuse, bipolar disorder and loneliness support groups. I have been through/have those "problems". I just wanted to throw that in so you all know some background about me, it may help you answer my questions.
I'm not sure if this has to do with my bipolar or not, but I feel like this is a better place to post this about because it seems more similar. I know I don't have multiple personality disorder, I don't not remember things, I've never had any of the experiences many of you have had, but are there other more mild similar things that one can have? Because I honestly feel as if there are two different people in me. One "personality" of mine will do things that will hurt the other and vise versa. What I mean is, when one wants one thing, the other does the other therefore ruining anything and everything I want to do. It's so much more complicated than this, but I can't explain it well enough.
Now I'm thinking this may just be a part of my bipolar and changes that every bipolar person goes through, but I don't have a therapist right now and I just wanted to hear yalls input.
Thanks.
Yes, DID/MPD occurs along a continuum (it's not a black and white issue). Some people lose time and don't know an alt has been out... others, like me, generally just hear them in my head and feel their influences.
What you're describing - self-defeating behavior- sounds a bit like the personality I call "Karma." She only makes herself known if I do something she decides was inappropriate, or if I get a strong urge to do something risky... even something good like applying for a new job.
Then she silently causes it to go wrong. Usually she simply makes sure I forget something important that sabotages the whole thing, or punishes me for inappropriate behavior, like she'll assure me that she knows what time I have to be to work the next day, then it will be wrong so I'm late. Then I can see her smirking in my head.
While none of us here can diagnose DID for someone else, it's not uncommon to be diagnosed (sometimes misdiagnosed) as bipolar before finding out about DID because more therapists are comfortable calling someone bipolar than DID. One main difference I've heard is that bipolar responds well to medication prescribed for it, but that medication does nothing to help DID. (Anyone who has dual diagnosis and is comfortable with it, please chime in if your experience is different than that.)
A good therapist can be a really big help, with emphasis on *good.* Until you find one, maybe you'll find it empowering to do some research on DID online to see if it seems to fit your situation. One articel you may want to read is on www.webmd.com ... just type DID in the search bar there and it will come up. While I think it describes mainly the top end of the DID spectrum, it's still a really good resource. Here's a quote from that article:
"Some people with dissociative disorders have a tendency toward self-persecution, self-sabotage, and even violence (both self-inflicted and outwardly directed)."
Knowledge is power... The more you learn, the more informed you can be when you go looking for a therapist. And with all that you're going through, I hope you can hook up with one. Meanwhile, I'm glad you have Daily Strength. You can ask anything here; the DID forum is full of really caring folks who are all on the same journey toward healing.
~ Wistala