Friend has 30 Different personalities?

Question

I have a friend that has just recently came out to me about having 30 different personalities inside him, all to which I have never seen til last week when he asked me if I would like to meet one of my personalities < or mortals I think is what he called them> and I wasnt sure and decided to meet this person. He said that it would be a little boy name shane. So next thing I know this little boy voice in his manly body was talking to me as if he was a young boy. I didnt know how to deal with this except to just ask him questions. My question here today is I dont know if I am suppose to run or accept that my friend can change into all these different people at the drop of a hat. I thought from what I have heard when someone has this condition they never know when it is going to come around, its always a suprise. He is seeking help but Im not sure why they are doing to help him. Does anyone have any advise on how to address this or handle this?

Answer 1

Has he been formally diagnosed with schizophrenia?

I've known of people with the full blown condition. It is something that you should accept as it is a part of that persons life.

Some do not want "help" with the condition as it is such a part of their life.

It has been suggested that some humans evolved to make schizophrenia as a method of coping with different situations

With that in mind, it's important to remember that this is not necessarily a bad thing.

It's a bad example, I know, but I'm dyslexic, and that just means I work in a different way to everyone else. While it's not quite the same situation, your friend will just work in a different way to everyone else.

DO NOT RUN. If you are truly his friend, which he thinks you are since he has opened up to you, you must stand by him and give him all the support that you can.

Answer 2

This sounds a little suspicious to me. First of all though, he doesn't have schizophrenia like others are saying. He has Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personalities Disorder). I'm a Psychology major, and while I'm a little rusty when it comes to this particular disorder, I don't ever recall having learned that someone with this disorder could just "cue" one of their personalities. I don't think they are able to control whether their different personalities come out or not, but again, I'm not entirely sure. You might want to read up on some of these sites for a little more info. They'll probably help a little more.

Answer 3

I was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder several years ago, although I have known something was different about me my whole life. My alters are only triggered through very stressful events or illness. My brother recently died suddenly and I was "triggered" then. I was unable to handle the stress emotionally so as a survival skill my mind called someone else "in" that could handle the situation until I was alright again. I know its sounds strange, and it's hard to explain. I developed this as a small child in order to survive horrible childhood abuse. I am working on overcoming this, it may be a lifelong journey.

Answer 4

It sounds to me like he is blagging a bit. Not saying he isn't ill, as he sounds v. disturbed, but a genuine MPD doesn't just bring them out to order - they are a response to stress and disassociation of the dominant personality, and that is why you are surprised by his behaviour. MPD is really rare - he is seeking refuge in an extreme condition when he prob has generalised anxiety disorder or something similar.
You should do what makes you feel comfortable. If you feel safe with him then hang out with him. Talk to him about his condition. If you get to know him well and he trusts you he may drop the 30 personalities, but if you know him well already then him doing this is a sign that he trusts you. In which case you should help him get help as he is crying out for it

Answer 5

I think that you should be encouraging to him. Comend him for trying to at least get help. I bet if you deal with him long enough it will get less and less normal to you. I sugguest that you talk to him about it ask him what the people are doing to help him and if there's anyway you can help him. He might think of this as you being a good friend and open up. Im sure he probably doesn't have many and might be willing to try to work with you if you are willing to work with him. So honestly I think a good conversation is in order it will show him that your trying and might help him toovercome his problem. But you have to know your limits. If you don't feel you can do it I think you should tell him that to honesty is the key. Hope I helped.

Answer 6

im sorry to hear about your friend, It does seem like he has some pyschotic illness.Whether schitzophrenia or something else. Its good that he is seeking help. You need to be there for him...I know it may seem really scary and very strange to you..To him..its obviously normal.Its good tht he has been able to tell you. My sister had a pyschotic illness and it was very hard.Please dont expect it to be easy. All i can suggest when he takes on one of his personalities is to talk to him as if he is just the friend you know and love. Maybe thta will help him come back into himself.In time.With the correct medication.He will improve. Just be a good friend to him.No everyone has this luxury and you sound like a good person for writing this and asking for advice.
Take good care of yourself and your friend
XX

Answer 7

Um, I'm no psychologist, but I don't think people with multiple personalities can just change them at will. The whole problem with that condition is that suddenly, an alternate personality takes over, when the person doesn't want it to happen. I would keep this guy at a distance if I were you.

Answer 8

It is worth to make an effort sometimes, because if not we couldn't meet anybody. But it's important not to loose what you are, but to listen to others and try to learn from them. People changes a lot on a lifetime, and what you think it's forever then its not, so maybe you'll also change and will develop skills to deal with all kind of people. :]

Answer 9

Since you already know he is seeking help, ask him does he feel like the person he is seeing is helping him make progress. Depending on what he says, if he says yes, you being his friend, ask him is there something you can help with. I f he says no ask him would he like you to help him find someone else. He must trust you completely to reveal this information.

Answer 10

I do great impressions too. Tell him to stop playing world of war craft and he won't call them mortals. As for accepting your friend act like it impresses you, if they truly are personalites and not a phase, which I doubt but either way, he will appreciate you. Good luck