People with DID may also experience anxiety, depression, self-harm, sleep disturbances, and/or drug and alcohol abuse. Severity of symptoms varies greatly among individuals.
Acknowledge how difficult it must be to manage the reactions of others. This will show you understand the complexity of living with a mental disorder. Try to meet the person in the place they’re at. If someone is having drastic shifts in their mood or personality, you can’t stop that. You just have to figure out how to sit with them and be supportive. [2] X Expert Source Noel Hunter, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 18 December 2020.
Ask how they feel before and after “switching” to get a better understanding of their experience. Express empathy by recognizing how frightening, confusing, and frustrating these experiences must be. Ask how you can best support them. [3] X Expert Source Noel Hunter, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 18 December 2020.
Try scheduling a weekly date to make sure you maintain regular contact. Find an activity you can do together to focus your discussion on something other than DID. Remember to maintain your own boundaries, however. You can be there for someone without getting caught up in everything they’re going through. [4] X Expert Source Noel Hunter, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 18 December 2020.
DID is pretty uncommon, so you may not be able to find a support group specific to that disorder in your area. Large cities may have groups designated for Dissociative Disorders but in smaller towns, you may need to look for support groups dedicated to mental health in general. If you can’t find a support group in your area, consider joining an online support group.
Encourage the person to join with you. Participating with an advocacy group may help them better understand their social experiences and overcome stigma.
Drugs and alcohol may also trigger “switching,” so discourage use. Avoid asking questions of other alters if the person does switch because this could be dangerous.
If the person with DID happens to be a spouse, you may want to avoid introducing yourself as a husband or wife with some alters. For example, a child alter may be respond as very confused and an alter of a different gender may become upset by the implications of sexual identification.
Encourage the person to attend counseling by offering to go with them. Lifestyle changes usually involve eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and abstaining from drugs and alcohol. You can encourage adherence to these lifestyle changes by adopting them yourself, at least while you are with the person being treated. Suggest the person set an alarm to remind them to take medication as directed. If the person indicates they are non-compliant or is thinking about becoming noncompliant, urge them to speak to them doctor about treatment options.
