Dissociative identity disorder?

Question

My wife is 32, was born with Cerebral Palsy. 3 years ago she was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder. She is on lithium, effexor xr, depakote, and lunesta. Recently she has also been diagnoses by a neurological epilepsy center with PNES. Her psychologist seen her when she she is has her seizure and feels she has DID. My wife regresses to a child who is 6 year old. This person says she has to protect my wife and keep her from pain and stress. Lately it has been coming out more and is more demanding and starting to refuse to let my wife return. What is the prognosis? what is the current therapy for her? what can I do to help?

Answer 1

I have a client who has DID and seizure disorder. We are having a difficult time here finding a neurologist that will treat her for seizure disorder along with her DID. And the psychiatrists aren't taking new people. Be glad that you have doctors who are working with your wife.

The only true treatment is psychotherapy and is sometimes simultaneously treated with medications. The prognosis below is what I found on the first link I provided.

Prognosis
Unfortunately, no systematic studies of the long-term outcome of DID currently exist. Some therapists believe that the prognosis for recovery is excellent for children and good for most adults. Although treatment takes several years, it is often ultimately effective. As a general rule, the earlier the patient is diagnosed and properly treated, the better the prognosis. Patients may find they are bothered less by symptoms as they advance into middle age, with some relief beginning to appear in the late 40s. Stress or substance abuse, however, can cause a relapse of symptoms at any time.

http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Dissociative-identity-disorder.html
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-24-2004-59666.asp

Answer 2

I have worked in mental health for 20 years.

Tell the psychiatrist who is treating her for Bipolar, maybe a medication adjustment can help with this problem.

Dissociative Identity Disorder is very rare and a lot of psychiatrist don't believe there is any such thing.

If she has both Bipolar and Epilepsy, she could have dissociative symptoms or periods of "acting like a child"--it just doesn't automatically mean she has DID.

If there is no evidence that she was sexually abused as a child; it seems very unlikely to me that she has it.

I'm sorry to put down an entire profession, but I have read a lot of psychological reports where they just seem to be trying to come up with the fanciest diagnosis they can. I just don't think it's very responsible to speculate about rare disorders when the symptoms can be explained by conditions that were already diagnosed by medical doctors.

I have heard doctors make this statement: "If it looks and acts like a horse; it's a horse. Don't call it a zebra until you find stripes."

Answer 3

For you to help her, you need to accept the 6 yr old part. Your wife needs the support and help from you.
Thank goodness she has a psychologist who believes she has DID. There are many who don't believe in the DID.
You may need to talk to the psychologist about your concerns when the 6 yr appears. Just do comfort her and be the adult at the same time.
It's not easy to deal with nor is it to watch your wife regress from an adult to a child. There must have been some traumatic event happen to your wife when she was around 6 yrs old.
Lots of psychotherapy will be needed in order for your wife to overcome DID. There are currently no medications specifically made for this type of mental disorder. There are medications that potentially could help your wife other mental symptoms though. I strongly encourage you, if she can manage without those medications let her do so.
Good luck!

Answer 4

2 points here... what happened to your last time you asked this question last night.???

here is the same answer I answered last night-

sometimes there are times when a person needs a way to cope and deal with things in their life. at the age of 6 I hope that she had a normal childhood, but doesn't sound like that. anyway.... maybe treat the child as a child, give her the love and attention she is seeking, so that she feels protected and secure. Does she need to be on that many meds? that seems to be a lot. I have been on a lot of meds for my mental illness too, but we (my doctor) and I are working on cutting them down, and working on finding the right combo....

I haven't dealt with DID before that I know of.... so I don't know the best advice other than go to the library or the bookstore and educate yourself.... or try the NAMI website....

http://www.nami.org
or just do a google search to start off...

Answer 5

What is the difference between DID and MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder)?
I think I have MPD, but I know when an "other" is out, and I know everything that happens when the other has control, though "I" cannot control what "they" do.

Answer 6

there is good help for her in therapy. be patient. if thr 16yr. old comes out, its because she has something to say. be kind and talk to her. then ask your wife if she can come out..

Answer 7

I'm just going to come out with it -- she has a doctor. You need sit down and to talk to her and her doctor. Why are EARTH are you asking on Y!A??? There are plenty of PROFESSIONAL resources where you can find answers.