Getting a Diagnosis for DID: How to Approach a New Psychiatrist?

Definitely find someone who specializes in trauma and DiD! I was lucky enough to be referred to a therapist who does by my psychiatrist who picked up on it. My therapist was so glad she’s our first experience, since going to therapists that don’t understand DiD can actually cause more trauma 🥲 Best of luck!

😥 help

I started with did at age 10 maybe earlier like age 5 after my brother's tragic death outside our house he was hit by a 🚗🚨 I was awaken by the accident as me and Mary's room my our youngest sister room was in front of the house I heard everything I heard my mother scream oh my God! It's my son over and over as I was just 5 and she only 3 I got to know him she didn't my symptoms started age 10 one day I started calling myself Kelly I think that how it began I am making an appointment with a therapist to discuss this further try to let them diagnose and not self diagnose how did other people with this disorder start how did it make you think feel I was bullyed In School all my. Life force to curl up in a dolls 🛏️ I think developing a new name is what started it because if I have other selves maybe they didn't come out or don't have names yet maybe counseling repetitive counseling will help bring them out of I been hiding them and my self because of my new self me and kelly

it took about 3 hours worth of sessions to get my diagnose! (5-7 weeks) It was long, and stressful. Here in Osaka doctors don't know much of the disorder, or maybe I was very unlucky www! I suggest bringing up concerning symptom with any doctors you trust, and they can work from there. Sometimes they have to treat symptoms one by one instead of the whole disorder, which can be longer, but it's totally worth it if you can not find a doctor right for you

I dont prefer my psychiatrist either, and i’ve seen her for years. I am now going to a Psychologist for diagnosis. For me, i dont need a psychiatrist anymore because im off of my meds now. 100% switch to someone else if youre not a fan on the one youre seeing. Its worth it to be with someone youre truly comfortable with.

Hey, so if you're going to get a new psychiatrist or therapist, I would suggest finding one that specializes in trauma, as DID forms from severe childhood trauma and many trauma specialists will know how to handle DID. As for an official diagnosis, those are really only good for personal affirmation of the disorder, insurance, and getting on disability. It can cause problems fown the line, such as making it more difficult to adopt children or do other things that require psych exams. So think carefully about whether it's really required for you personally! I am unofficially diagnosed. I see a DID specialist and am recognized to have DID by this specialist. But it is not an official diagnosis and so will not show up on papers.

What I’ve heard is that it usually takes about 8 years to get a diagnoses. Also a diagnosis is only for insurance purposes. For me, therapists always said the same general thing about having dissociative issues. Then one of the psychiatrist I saw pulled me aside and told me that I have DID and that they could no longer see me at their practice. This was after 5 years of being in the system. So I did get the diagnosis, but they also kicked me out of their practice. Not a lot of people have been trained to treat or diagnose DID, so I would specifically look for someone who specializes in it.