Dissociative identity disorder
6-minute read
Key facts
- Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition where someone feels they have 2 or more separate identities.
- The exact cause of DID is not known, but often it is caused by severe childhood trauma.
- People with DID may talk and behave differently as they switch between identities.
- People with DID may not remember trauma or other life events and they may not recall memories from when they were in a different identity state.
- DID can be treated with long-term psychotherapy, and while there’s no medicine specifically for dissociative identity, many people with DID are able to learn to live well with the condition.
What is dissociative identity disorder?
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition where someone feels that they have 2 or more separate personalities or identities or ‘alters’. It was previously known as ‘multiple personality disorder’.
It is a type of dissociative disorder — where you feel disconnected from your thoughts, memories, feelings or sense of who you are.
Dissociative identity disorder is not the same as schizophrenia. Both of these conditions can cause hallucinations. People with DID experience them as coming from a different identity, while people with schizophrenia do not.
What are the symptoms of dissociative identity disorder?
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A person with DID may talk and behave in different ways at different times, as they switch between identities.
The person feels the presence of 2 or more people living inside their head. Each identity may have its own name, voice, mannerisms, memories and opinions.
This is different to having an imaginary friend, which is not a sign of a mental health problem. It is also different to ‘possession’ by a spirit in some cultures or religions, which is not considered a disorder.
People with DID have gaps in memory (called amnesia). They don’t remember everyday events, important personal information or traumatic experiences. They may not be able to recall memories from when they were in another personality state.
People with dissociative identity disorder may also have anxiety or depression. They may self-harm, feel suicidal or have a substance abuse disorder.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes dissociative identity disorder?
The main cause of DID is severe trauma in childhood. This may include physical or sexual abuse.
The trauma triggers you to disconnect from your life, as a protective mechanism to help cope.
How is dissociative identity disorder diagnosed?
If you or someone you care about has symptoms of dissociative identity disorder, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist with experience of this condition.
Your psychiatrist or psychologist will ask you about your symptoms. They may use techniques such as hypnosis to try to draw out different identities.
It can take time to make a diagnosis, as DID has some symptoms in common with other mental health disorders.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How is dissociative identity disorder treated?
The main form of treatment for dissociative identity disorder is long-term psychotherapy. The therapist will take you through several stages of treatment, including:
- improving your symptoms
- dealing with past trauma
- helping you establish healthy relationships
Many people with DID are able to reach a stage called resolution. This is where your identities exist together without affecting your life too much.
There is no medicine to treat dissociative identity disorder. If you also suffer from anxiety or depression, you may consider medicine to treat them.
Resources and support
If you feel you may have DID, talk to your doctor for help, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.
Visit these organisations for more resources and support:
- ReachOut has information on types of mental health professionals, confidentiality and tips on choosing the right mental health professional.
- Beyond blue has resources to find a mental health professional and what they do.
- Head to health has information on preparing for your first appointment.
Check the healthdirect directory ofmental health resources.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
- Beyond blue has helpful contacts for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
- My mental health provides social and emotional wellbeing services
Looking for information for culturally and linguistically diverse people?
- My mental health provides information and services for people from other cultures or people who speak other languages than English.
Looking for information for sexually and gender diverse people?
- My mental health provides mental health and counselling support.