How long does treatment for DID last?

Answer 1

Opinion

Finding a therapist or psychiatrist who agrees with the information contained in the DSM IV is important. I have also heard that depending on how experienced the therapist or psychiatrist is in dealing with DID is also a factor in the timeframe for recovery.

There are different schools of thought in regards to DID and treatment will depend on the patients ability to access alters, handle the stress of recalling painful or tramatic memories and working through them. It should not be rushed because the patient can become overwhelmed and at risk.

Recovery involves, getting in touch with the alters, opening lines of communication between the host and the alters and then, working through the painful mermories. There is only so much that a person can handle at a time. Once the memories have been processed, the goal is to integrate all alters into the host. This can occur as the memories are recovered, managed, and resolved.

Some are able to move ahead faster than others, and it just depends on the person's makeup. Personally I believe the speed at which a person can move forward depends on the extent of abuse, or trauma that has occurred and the length of time this occurred and the age that the abuse or trauma occurred and when it stopped. Sometimes it is still continuing.

Opinion

With respect to the answers above, it is not necessary to find a therapist or psychiatrist who "believes" in DID. Although DID is a controversial diagnosis, any psychologist or psychiatrist should be equipped to handle treatment of this disorder. Those who disagree that this is a separate clinical diagnosis (and I am among them) do not doubt the presence of the phenomenon -- we just believe that it is a manifestation of a personality disorder (not a "social disorder") and can be treated successfully from this perspective. The treatment will not vary, regardless of the clinician's perspective. What will matter is finding a therapist you trust and like, and consistently following through with treatment recommendations.

I will also add that it is not always necessary to unbury every skeleton in the closet in order to get better. Often that kind of therapy is counterproductive and can lead to further fragmentation or even to frank psychosis. The idea is to consolidate the "personalities" -- which are just splintered off embodiments of your coping mechanisms -- so that you end up as one viable, integrated person who can cope with life's stresses.

Answer 2

Treatment of DID may last for five to seven years in adults and usually requires several different treatment methods.