Q: What Are The Symptoms Of DID(MPD)/DD?
A: People with DID(MPD) may experience any of the following: depression, mood swings, suicidal tendencies, sleep disorders (insomnia, night terrors, and sleep walking), panic attacks and phobias (flashbacks, reactions to stimuli or "triggers"), alcohol and drug abuse, compulsions and rituals, psychotic-like symptoms (including auditory and visual hallucinations), and eating disorders. In addition, individuals with DID(MPD)/DD can experience headaches, amnesias, time loss, trances, and "out of body experiences." Some people with DID(MPD)/DD have a tendency toward self-persecution, self-sabotage, and even violence (both self-inflicted and outwardly directed).
Q: What signs should I look for if I think I and/or a friend/family member may have MPD?
A: Look for MPD if there is a pattern of...
a. History of depression or suicidal behavior.
b. Childhood history of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse... reports one parent was very cold and critical reports of "wonderful" parents by a person who is clearly emotionally troubled
c. Abusive relationships in adulthood
d. Strong attacks of shame; sees self as bad or undeserving sacrifices self for others feels does not deserve help; is a burden, reluctant to ask for help is sure you do not want to be troubled with seeing him or her
e. Reports being able to turn off pain or "put it out of my mind."
f. Self-mutilation or self-injuring behavior
g. Hears voices from the inside
h. Flashbacks (visual, auditory, somatic, affective, or behavioral)
i. History of unsuccessful therapy
j. Multiple past diagnoses (e.g.: major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, substance abuse)
k. History of shifting symptom picture.(On monday there are syptoms of one disorder on tuesday there's syptoms of another disorder.)
l. Reports of odd changes or variations in physical skills or interests
m. Described by significant other as having 2 personalities or being a "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde"
n. Family history of dissociation
o. Phobia or panic attacks
p. Loss of time (mins, hours,days,months,years)
q. Daytime enuresis or encopresis
r. History of psychophysiological symptoms
s. Seizure-like episodes
t. History of nightmare and sleep disorders
u. History of sleepwalking
v. School problems
w. Reports psychic experiences
x. Anorexia or Bulimia
y. Sexual difficulties
z. Substance abuse
The presence of two positive items from among items a through p mandates consideration of a diagnosis of a Dissociative disorder (e.g.: DISSOCIATIVE DISORDER NOS (not otherwise specified) or possible POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.)
Four or more positive items (especially among a through p) mandate serious consideration of the possibility of MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER.
