UBCNews - Business - These Are The DID Symptoms That Most Patients Don't Know About

Episode Date: February 25, 2026

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're tackling something that's often misunderstood but incredibly important—Dissociative Identity Disorder, or DID. It used to be called multiple personality disorder, and honestly, a lot of the stigma around it comes from how it's been portrayed in movies and TV. So, we're here to clear that up. Joining me is someone who really knows this condition inside and out. Thanks for being here! A Mission for Michael (AMFM) City: San Juan Capistrano Address: 30310 Rancho Viejo Rd. Website: https://amfmtreatment.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling something that's often misunderstood, but incredibly important. Dissociative identity disorder or DIDD. It used to be called multiple personality disorder. And honestly, a lot of the stigma around it comes from how it's been portrayed in movies and TV. So, we're here to clear that up. Joining me is someone who really knows this condition inside and out. Thanks for being here.

Thanks for having me. Yeah, DID is one of those conditions that people think they know, but the reality is so different from what you see on screen. The media often sensationalizes it, showing these dramatic switches with completely different names and wardrobes. But the core of DID is actually about how trauma affects the way someone's sense of self develops. Right. And that's such an important distinction. So let's start with the basics. What exactly is dissociative identity disorder? Sure, Did is a mental health condition where a person has two or more distinct personality states, often called alters. These alters can control the person's behavior at different times. A key symptom is amnesia, gaps in memory for daily activities, personal information, and especially traumatic events. This happens when the personalities switch, and it's important to know that all these identities together make up one whole person, not separate people. So when we talk about altars, we're not talking about separate individuals living in one body. It's more like different parts of one person's mind?

Exactly. Each altar might have its own sense of identity, memories, and way of thinking, but they're all part of the same individual. The person as a whole is responsible for their behavior, even if they don't remember what happened during a switch. That makes sense. Now, what causes DID? I mean, where does this come from? D.I.D. is primarily caused by severe and prolonged trauma, typically during early childhood. Symptoms often begin showing up between ages 5 and 10. We're talking about extreme physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. When a child experiences repeated trauma in an unsafe environment, their developing brain essentially compartmentalizes those experiences as a way to cope. It's actually a form of resilience, allowing the child to function and develop other abilities despite the trauma. Wow. So it's the mind's way of protecting itself?

Exactly. The child's mind creates these separate identity states to disdemeanor. themselves from the overwhelming pain, but this prevents the normal developmental process of forming a unified sense of self. So, D.I.D. can really be seen as a childhood onset, post-traumatic developmental disorder. That's such a foundational way to frame it. So what are some of the symptoms people might notice

if they, or someone they love, has D.I.D.? Well, beyond the presence of multiple identities and amnesia, amnesia, people with DID often experience other symptoms. They might hear voices inside their mind. These voices often feel like they have their own sense of self, like a child's voice or an angry voice. They might see things others don't see or feel disconnected from reality, like watching themselves from outside their body. And there's often significant mood swings, depression, anxiety, and unfortunately, a high risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior. Over 70% of people with DID have attempted suicide or engaged in self-injury.

Mm-hmm. That's sobering. It really is, and diagnosis can be pretty complex. D.I.D. is often misdiagnosed for years. People typically spend five to over 12 years in the mental health system before receiving a correct diagnosis. Symptoms can be subtle and are often mistaken for other conditions like depression, anxiety, or even schizophrenia because of the voices. Have you ever wondered why it takes so long to get an accurate diagnosis? I mean, that's over a decade for some people. Yeah, it's because the symptoms don't always fit the stereotype. I once worked with someone who'd been

treated for bipolar disorder for eight years before anyone noticed the memory gaps. She'd say, I thought everyone forgot conversations like that. It was eye-opening. Wow, that really shows how hidden these symptoms can be. That point about those memory gaps sets up our next piece, treatment approaches. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. If you or a loved one is struggling with trauma-related mental health conditions, a mission for Michael operates treatment centers in Southern California, including Orange County in San Diego. They provide individualized care that combines traditional psychotherapy

with creative and wellness therapies to support recovery. Learn more at AMFM Treatment.com. Picking up on those memory gaps, how do clinicians approach treatment once DID is properly identified? Great question. The primary treatment for DID is psychotherapy, specifically something called phasic trauma treatment. It has three phases. First, establishing safety and stability. Second, working through traumatic memories. And third, reintegrating into life. The first phase is the most important. You have to create a foundation of safety before anything else can happen. Why is safety so critical? Because DID develops in an environment of repeated danger and unpredictability. Without safety, the person can't heal.

Without that secure foundation, healing simply doesn't happen. This phase involves learning to stabilize symptoms of both DID and PTSD because the vast majority of people with DID also have PTSD symptoms. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, and dialectical behavioral therapy, DBT, are often used. I see, go on. So once that safety is established, therapy can focus on identifying and processing past trauma.

The goal is to help different parts of the person's identity work together, rather than staying fragmented. That's powerful. What about medications? Do they play a role? Medications are adjunctive, meaning they're add-ons. They don't directly treat DID itself, but they can help manage co-occurring symptoms like depression, anxiety, or sleep disturbances. It's important to have realistic expectations about what meds can and can't do. You know, they're not going to make the altars disappear. Nothing works that way.

Right? And I guess that's where people sometimes get frustrated, thinking there's a pill that'll fix everything? Exactly. If only it were that simple. but the real work happens in therapy. So what's the goal of treatment? Is it to eliminate the altars? Not necessarily. The goal is to achieve integration and cooperation among the altars,

leading to a more unified sense of self. Some people may experience fusion of their identities, while others work toward better communication and collaboration among them. There's no cure for DID, but symptoms can be managed throughout life, with ongoing treatment and a strong support system. So to everyone listening, if you suspect you or someone you care about might be dealing with D.I.D., what should they do?

Reach out to a mental health professional, ideally someone who has experience with trauma and dissociative disorders. Early intervention can make a huge difference. And if you're supporting someone with D.I.D., learn about the condition. Stay calm when behavior changes occur. and offer to attend therapy or support groups with them. Building that support system is key. Because D.I.D. shows us that even in the face of unimaginable trauma, the mind finds ways to survive and protect itself. That's both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.

Definitely. And with the right treatment and support, people with D.D. can lead fulfilling lives. They can function better, feel more in control, and reconnect with themselves and their loved ones. Recovery is possible. Thank you so much for breaking this down today. This conversation is so important for reducing stigma and increasing understanding. For everyone listening, remember that mental health matters

and seeking help is a sign of strength. You can find more resources at amfmtreatment.com. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other. Thank you.