Repressed memory

[I posted this on the Dissociative amnesia forum as well, but am posting it here again on the advice of another]

The boyfriend of a friend of mine witnessed something very traumatic about 5 or 6 years ago. I'm not sure how quickly he managed this, but he repressed the memory. The only time that he remembers it is when he's asleep. This is when/how he told my friend about it. It wasn't just sleep talking though. From what my friend has told me, he seems like he's conscious. This happens quite a lot from what I can gather. He goes into this semi-conscious state when he's sleeping. Not only that, but he also has more than one persona when he's in this conscious sleep state. These "sleep selves" vary in what they are like. From what I know, one of them used to be quite different to his awake personality, but has been adapting and acting more like him. Another one is more childlike, he has gaps in his knowledge of language and understanding. There's also another persona that is completely and openly honest with my friend. He was brought up to hide how he feels, but when he's asleep and in this state, he'll tell my friend whatever is on his mind. I might be a bit mixed up with the details of what each persona is like, but I'm pretty sure there are 3 of them. Maybe 4. The point is, one of the personas (which one it is I can't remember) can remember this traumatic event. Not completely consciously, but enough to trigger the memory if he is allowed to think about it.

What confused me most about this is that the multiple personalities are only active when he is asleep. I've heard of DID/MPD, but never heard of it only manifesting when someone is sleeping. My friend seems to be okay with the sleep selves, she's just really worried about the repressed memory. He's not really in a state to handle it right now and because of cultural and money based factors, he's not really able to see any kind of professional. So, she spends a lot of time talking to him, whilst he is in this conscious sleep state (or any of the other sleep personas) making sure that he doesn't remember what happened. Does anyone know what this is (more so the multiple persona sleep thing)? Also is there any advice that anyone has for either issue?

I don't know if this counts for being DID, but it certainly meets the criteria for some hardcore PTSD. I understand he's not doing too good on money, but if he has any kind of insurance plan, he should talk to them and see what level of psychological treatment it covers. Because he should be seeing a psychologist, which I cannot emphasize on this enough is NOT to be mistaken for a psychiatrist as people often do. Psychologist is someone who is going to try to work with your friend's BF, a psychiatrist just makes a diagnosis and crams pills down people's throats; which isn't really helpful if you plan on actually RESOLVING issues.

it could be idk tho dont quote me but my alters used to come front when i was asleep before i became co-consious of them that was how they would mainly communicate and theyd also show me dreams of memories they were hiding from me from my past i cant really rememebr the dreams well theyre still trying to keep most of the memories away from me but that is how they used to contact me theyd talk to my friends if they slept over and somtimes even my parents
hope it helps
-Victoria

Mr Bates, I don't really think it's DID either, unless it's some bizarre kind, but I was advised that people who frequently occupy this forum might have some advice. In Australia we have a free health plan for everyone (it subsidises costs), but it's also his family and culture that get in the way. I don't know much about that. Only that his parents are religious and from India. I definitely know the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist (it's one of my "pet hates" when someone doesn't know the difference) and so do my friend and her BF. PTSD makes sense given the situation. My friend is really worried about this memory. He's had a lot to deal with recently and she's not sure if he's strong enough right now to deal with it.

Victoria, that is an interesting thought. I'm not sure if he has, or is developing DID, but I'll keep talking to my friend and see what happens.

Might have to do it behind the parents back, send the bill to your friend's house. This could be(come) a serious issue beyond what it currently is.

I'll propose the idea to my friend and see what she thinks.

Thanks.