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,...
I've been in a relationship with a guy for almost two years that has 3 separate personalities. It isn't something that he has been formally diagnosed with but he says its something that he has been aware of since he was a kid. For the most part I think he copes with it relatively well, but he is under a good deal of stress right now, and I think the stress makes it harder for him to deal with his condition. I love him very much and would never force him to do anything he doesn't want to do, but I'm trying to convince him to seek out therapy to help him understand why his personalities split and ways to help him deal with it better under stress.
He would rather not go to therapy because he feels like if his parents or friends found out, people would think he was making things up or worse quit talking to him because they would think he was crazy. For the most part, they all seem to take three different vantage points on things. I really think he is sincere in having three personalities because his mannerisms, expressions, and the way he speaks are totally different. I worry for him because I can tell this is something he has struggled with for quite some time.
When my boyfriend refers to this three personalities as a whole he calls them "Cap"...
Andrew is the main, true personality that the other two have fragmented off of, and is more sensitive and caring than the other two.
Conrad is the secondary personality that is very logical and at times cold, but he emerges to negotiate or manipulate situations so that he can win. He is a problem solver but frequently over analyzes people's words, expressions, or mannerisms to find a problem that isn't really there.
Phillip was the last personality to emerge and he is the physical one. He easily loses his temper and is quick to argue if he sees something differently and will frequently start fights with the other two personalties.
I don't really have a question, I was mostly seeking advice...
Is there anything your significant others have done in the past to help you cope with DID? Does therapy help you, or what convinced you to go?
He would rather not go to therapy because he feels like if his parents or friends found out, people would think he was making things up or worse quit talking to him because they would think he was crazy. For the most part, they all seem to take three different vantage points on things. I really think he is sincere in having three personalities because his mannerisms, expressions, and the way he speaks are totally different. I worry for him because I can tell this is something he has struggled with for quite some time.
When my boyfriend refers to this three personalities as a whole he calls them "Cap"...
Andrew is the main, true personality that the other two have fragmented off of, and is more sensitive and caring than the other two.
Conrad is the secondary personality that is very logical and at times cold, but he emerges to negotiate or manipulate situations so that he can win. He is a problem solver but frequently over analyzes people's words, expressions, or mannerisms to find a problem that isn't really there.
Phillip was the last personality to emerge and he is the physical one. He easily loses his temper and is quick to argue if he sees something differently and will frequently start fights with the other two personalties.
I don't really have a question, I was mostly seeking advice...
Is there anything your significant others have done in the past to help you cope with DID? Does therapy help you, or what convinced you to go?
partners of DID's should be understanding of a lot of things. be patient and loving. therapy is a tough thing to do so i can understand that he might not be ready for any diagnosis or therapy.
We wish the both of you the best of luck.
not all people with did want to intergrate - and that should be a decision made by the individual system. the goal of therapy is to aid the client in achieving self actualization or as much as the individual is capable of attaining. sometimes all a therapist can do is provide support, but for those with did it can be very helpful but like all therapy a good fit is vital.
if you like to read you might want to check out the books recommended here, many are autobiographies. another idea, have your boyfriend join the community, i'm sure he'll find great support and it might help him to know he is not alone.