| Treatment of DID is difficult for a variety of reasons. | | | | specifically treat Dissociative disorders, Medications like |
| Some of the reasons are secrecy on the client's part | | | | anti-depressants or tranquilizers are a very common |
| making him or her reluctant to seek help, including the | | | | treatment method because the personalities may have |
| difficulty in diagnosing the disorder once the client | | | | anxiety or mood disorders and the medications may |
| presents. Typically, an individual with DID will require | | | | help control the mental health symptoms associated |
| many years of treatment. Generally a DID patient will | | | | with the disorders. Generally medications are not |
| need to be given several different treatments | | | | recommended because maintenance and effective |
| methods over a period of 5-7 years or may be more | | | | use of prescriptions given to multiple personality states |
| allpsych.com/disorders/dissociative/did.html. | | | | is difficult to attain. If medication is prescribed, it should |
| Some of the treatments offered to a DID patient may | | | | be carefully monitored (Psych Central, 2006). |
| include: | | | | - Alternative Medicines: The therapist may recommend |
| - Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the primary | | | | using hypnosis, as part of the treatment for a |
| treatment for dissociative disorders. This form of | | | | Dissociative disorder. Hypnosis creates a state of |
| therapy, also known as talk therapy, counseling or | | | | deep relaxation and quiets the mind. In hypnotized |
| psychosocial therapy, involves talking about the | | | | state, the patient can concentrate on a specific |
| disorder with a mental health professional. The | | | | thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out |
| therapist will help patient remember and work through | | | | distractions (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education |
| the trauma that triggered the Dissociative symptoms | | | | & Research, 2007). Hypnosis is also perceived to |
| (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & | | | | be an effective treatment to uncover painful |
| Research, 2007). The course of psychotherapy may | | | | repressed memories or even to help stop behaviors |
| be long and painful, but this treatment approach can be | | | | carried out by alters such as self mutilation or eating |
| effective in the treatment of DID. | | | | disorders. Hypnosis is also used in the "fusing" process. |
| - Creative Art Therapy: This therapy uses the creative | | | | Hypnosis is generally safe as a complementary |
| process to help people who might have difficulty | | | | treatment method. Some doctors also believe in |
| expressing their thoughts and feelings. Creative art | | | | botanical medicine, message, and yoga as effective |
| therapy includes art, dance and movement, drama, | | | | treatment (Baxter, 2007). |
| music and poetry. Things such as keeping a journal or | | | | - Self-Help: Online self-help groups are a growing trend, |
| creating art is also encouraged during treatment to | | | | and individuals with DID are beginning to form online |
| help bring the past and present together (Baxter, 2007) | | | | self-help support groups, in addition to the traditional (in |
| - Medications: Although there are no medications that | | | | person) self-help groups (Psych Central, 2006). |