Dissociative Identity Disorder Treatment
Our Veterans Rehab Treatment Centers offer specialized treatment programs for Dissociative Identity Disorder. With years of experience, we work tirelessly to meet Veterans treatment needs.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
Dissociative disorders are mental disorders that involve experiencing a division and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identity. People with dissociative disorders elude reality in ways that are involuntary and cause problems with functioning in everyday life.
Dissociative disorders usually develop as a reaction to trauma and help keep difficult memories at bay. Symptoms, ranging from amnesia to multiple alternate identities, depend in part on the type of dissociative disorder you have. Times of anxiety can temporarily worsen symptoms, making them more visible. Substance Abuse, like Alcohol Addiction, Benzodiazepine Addiction, and Prescription Drug Abuse, also triggers symptoms.
Treatment for dissociative disorders includes one on one therapy and appropriate medications. Although treating dissociative disorders can be difficult, many Veterans learn new ways of coping and lead healthy, productive lives. Our Veterans Rehab and Detox Centers offer specialized treatment programs for those struggling. Through medication management, mindfulness, and therapy, we use evidence-based strategies to help Veterans succeed.
Types of Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Amnesia
The main symptom is memory loss that's more severe than normal forgetfulness and that can't be explained by a medical condition. You can't recall information about yourself or events in your life, especially from a traumatic time. Dissociative amnesia can be specific to events in a certain time, such as intense combat, or more rarely, can involve complete loss of memory about yourself. It may sometimes involve travel or confused wandering away from your life (dissociative fugue). An episode of amnesia usually occurs suddenly and may last minutes, hours, or rarely, months or years.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by "switching" to alternate identities. You may feel the presence of two or more people talking or living inside your head. Each identity may have a unique name, personal history and characteristics, including obvious differences in voice, gender, and mannerisms. There also are differences in how familiar each identity is with the others. People with dissociative identity disorder typically also have dissociative amnesia and often have dissociative fugue.
Depersonalization Disorder
This involves an ongoing or episodic sense of detachment or being outside yourself. Observing your actions, feelings, thoughts and self from a distance as though watching a movie. Other people and things around you may feel detached and foggy or dreamlike. Time may be slowed down or sped up, and the world may seem unreal. Symptoms, which can be profoundly distressing, may last only a few moments or come and go over many years.
Symptoms and Complications of dissociative Identity Disorder
Self Harm or Mutilation
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal Behaviors
Sexual Dysfunction
Feelings of Detatchment
Difficulties in Relationships
Non Epileptic Seizures
Distorted Sense of Identity
Treatment Options for Dissociative Identity Disorder
Therapy for Dissociative Identity Disorder
Therapy is the primary treatment for dissociative disorders. This form of therapy involves talking about your disorder and related issues with a mental health professional. Our treatment center’s therapists have advanced training or experience in working with people who have experienced trauma. Trauma is typically one of leading causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder.
As a VA Community Care Network provider, our therapists will help Veterans understand the cause of their condition and to form new ways of coping with stressful circumstances. Through EMDR therapy for PTSD, our Veterans treatment centers help you talk more about the trauma you experienced.
Medication
Although there are no medications that specifically treat dissociative disorders, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications or antipsychotic drugs to help control symptoms associated with dissociative disorders.
