No Memory of Childhood…Do I Have Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Reader’s Question

My therapist believes that I show signs of DID. I have no memory of most of my childhood, and have been chronically depressed for over 7 years until recently when I attempted suicide twice. I agree with his diagnosis, rather than bipolar (as the psychiatrist diagnosed me with). Is there a way, for a person going through DID, to know when an “alter” personality is/has taken over?

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

A diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) — formerly called ‘Multiple Personality Disorder‘, or MPD — should never be based on an opinion that you might be “showing signs”. People show all types of “signs,” but having a consistent pattern of symptoms is another issue. DID would represent a significant change in the focus of your therapy and psychiatric treatment. Considering a seven year history of depression and recent suicide attempts, you should not abruptly change the focus of your treatment due to one person’s opinion that you are “showing signs” — what signs?

In practice, it’s not uncommon for adults to have little or even no memory for periods of their childhood. This is related to how the brain records memories — not DID. During times of high stress, the brain records less as we can’t pay attention that well. Individuals who have a boring childhood and those who have a high-stress childhood remember less. People who have an interesting childhood — involving various highs and lows, tend to remember more events.

I would encourage you to obtain another professional opinion regarding this DID diagnosis. What you are describing is unlikely to be DID. If you do have Bipolar Disorder and shift your focus to DID, the neurochemical system that creates your Bipolar symptoms will not go away. You run the risk of being suddenly surprised by an intensive manic or depressive episode while exploring issues involving Dissociative Identity Disorder.

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