SYMPTOMS OF DID
According
to the 1994 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth
edition, the diagnostic criteria for Dissociative Identity Disorder are as
follows:
A.
The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states (each
with its own relatively enduring pattern or perceiving, relating to, and thinking
about the environment and self.)
B. At least
two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the
person's behavior.
C. Inability
to recall important information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary
forgetfulness.
D. The disturbance
is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts
or chaotic behavior during alcohol intoxication) or a general medical condition
(e.g., complex partial seizures). Note: In children, the symptoms are not attributable
to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play.
OTHER POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF DID
- Depression
- Mood
swings
- Self
mutilation, cutting, burning, etc.
- Suicidal
tendencies
- Compulsions
and rituals
- Phobias
- Flashbacks
or intrusive memories or thoughts
- Amnesia,
blackouts, or lost time
- Headaches,
migraines
- Panic
attacks
- Reactions
to stimuli or "triggers"
- Self sabotage
- Addictions
including alcohol, drugs, food, etc.
- Psychotic
like symptoms such as auditory and visual hallucinations
- Eating
disorders
- Trances,
fugue states or "out of body experiences"
- Sleep
disorders such as insomnia, night terrors, sleep walking, etc.
- Symptoms
of chronic pain
- Body memories
or psychosomatic symptoms
If
you or someone you know is living with DID, they may have one or all of these
symptoms in different varying degrees. Each person is an individual and each
individual is unique to their own symptoms. You can not compare one DIDer to
another.