Diagnosis similar to DID

Just wondering what diagnosis there are out there that are similar to DID. I was stupid enough to find a forum 4 years ago and go 'yes that explain it all, I have DID'. But now we're coming close to a diagnosis, talking to my therapist and social worker, it now sounds like I WON'T be diagnosed with DID. I have the different parts taking over me, telling me what to do, doing things for me. DID explained to me why everything was wrong, I found out that things weren't so good in my childhood (not that I had remembered it before) and why I just couldn't remember things and had to be shown photos etc to prove I had been there because I just didn't believe people when they said I had.

Now what - I'm scared, unsure, inside no-one feels comfortable. A name/diagnosis they had come to feel like they could accept and was them....is now possibly not. My T has admitted I have traits of DID, but she's not qualified to diagnose it. My social worker seems to think it's a personality disorder, maybe borderline. But to me, if that's the case, then there must be another diagnosis as well, because there are so many things, that diagnosis would not cover/explain within us.

I feel I've been a fool, all these years thinking that's what it was, coming to terms with and accepting a possible diagnosis or a rare disorder, and now - well, I hate myself.

Hoping others on here will help me know what diagnosis are out there which they may decide to slap on my forehead instead of this. This forum was the only place I felt I belonged, where people understood me and where I finally went 'oh is that why I do x'.

Hi debetoile, please keep in mind that even professionals who work with patients and are trained misdiagnose patients sometimes. It can be very difficult to identify which disorder it is, especially when there's a variety of symptoms. There's often confusion between DID and BPD so it's important to keep in mind that your social worker (who, correct me if I'm mistaken, probably isn't qualified to identify which differential diagnosis it is).

That said, if you have traits of DID as your T suggest, it may be that you have Other Specified Dissociative Disorder, previously known as Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Have a look here: http://www.dissociative-identity-disord ... e_disorder

I think so much of the time diagnosis depends on a.) the clinician is who "assessing" you b.) their beliefs c.) their interpretations of the diagnostic manuals they use d.) their judgement on you given how you present that day and e.) the organisation they work on i.e. NHS or not

If we were to go to hundreds of therapists/psychiatrist/psychologists I have no doubt we would get hundreds of diagnoses.

I was diagnosed with BPD for 5 years under the NHS. It is true that there is overlap between DID and BPD because they are both born out of trauma most the time so of course there is going to be overlap. But presentations are different subtly and it depends on how hard the clinician is prepared to work. BPD is easy. Especially under the NHS in the UK it is a quick rubbish bin label for all of those who are clearly struggling with emotional issues but don't really fit anywhere else. Especially if self harm is involved.

It took me a while to realise that professionals who can diagnose and even those who can't but THINK that they can are not as objective as we think they are. It is about how they perceive what you are SAYING depending on their past experiences. It is certainly not the same as looking at an X ray.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't blame yourself for believing you have DID- you probably do in some way shape or form, it is a very subtle manifestation in a lot of people- so subtle that often professionals overlook its importance in helping someone to heal. Ultimately your experiences are your experiences regardless of what label they stick on you.

Stay strong

Debetoile, the majority of social workers are in no way qualified to diagnose (they are not even licensed to make diagnoses) and your therapist has explicitly disqualified herself. I think you would be helping yourself greatly if you would consult a diagnostician who is qualified to diagnose the dissociative disorders, one who has training and experience in using the available diagnostic tools.

Thanks for all your replies. I'm seeing a psychiatrist (NHS) at the end of July. Never met her before so I can't see how she can make a diagnosis based on either how I present on the day (because we have a standard person to front in scary situations like that) or on the say so of therapists and social workers. I'll keep my fingers crossed for someone nice and understanding. My T told me a diagnosis for DID would involve a lot of time and paperwork so it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to shortcut the diagnosis.

DD-NOS I'd be happy with, anything that explains them and the dissociation. For some reason a personality disorder just doesn't feel right.

Thanks, I feel a little better now - part of me wonders if we are doing the right thing wanting a diagnosis. We just want people to understand that it is not just anxiety and depression, that there is something else, more complicated, going on.

A competent diagnosis is not just putting a label on you. It is an essential step to designing a personalized treatment plan that is appropriate for you and will likely be effective.

The issue of DID vs borderline personality disorder comes up a lot. Some people with DID have a lot of borderline symptoms, and for them a differential diagnosis does require careful evaluation of the apparently borderline symptoms. On the other hand, some people with DID do not have borderline symptoms. I am one who does not. No one, mental health professional or otherwise, has ever suggested that I have any kind of personality disorder. I do have many Schneiderian symptoms which means that for me, if my diagnosis were ever in question, the crucial differential would be DID vs a psychotic disorder.

I agree with Una, debetoile. A DID specialist should know much more about this disorder than a regular psych. I am saying this because as i mentioned before, i was BPD dx for over a decade. I just thought im an atypical case..but accepted it even though some things did not seem completely right. Good luck with your appointment

Don't hate yourselves for finding a place you identify with. This is your experience, and your experience alone, and no one but you can know where you identify with.

I agree with Una and Im-pure. A diagnosis is helpful, to giving you the appropriate tools to face what ever challenges you're facing. But if you identify yourself here, you do belong here.

Doctors some times are under pressure to "diagnose" right. And follow books, and follow "written" rules, and forget to listen to their patients. So... Do get a diagnosis, but more for the tools, than for the label.

But do not hate yourself for finding a place where you belong.

You weren't stupid, you found something that made sense. You were looking for answers, and you found ones.

Sea

Typically psychiatrist appointments under the NHS are just ten minutes long. At least in my experience. Absolutely not enough time to get an accurate perception of you (let alone if there are multiple you's). Psychiatrists under the NHS are often very focused on drug-giving too. But you never know, you may get a good one who says, 'I need to see you more often before giving you my opinion'. Here's hoping!

I think wanting a diagnosis is definitely helpful- it just isn't the be all and end all that the profession would have you believe. I have worked with many therapists who don't believe in diagnoses and labels. I'm beginning to see why. But as Una says it helps inform a treatment/care plan and forms a basis through which mental health professionals can get to know you. Unfortunately, I am just far too aware of the inadequacies of the NHS with regards to believing in dissociative disorders, let alone diagnosing them. It is as if the whole category in the DSM just does not exist for them. Don't be afraid to tell them what your thoughts are though. I spent too many months dilly-dallying around trying to let them know I think I have a DD without actually telling them outright. Was a frustrating few months for sure.

Yes, do come right out and tell them what you are experiencing, and what you think it means. As long as you are coy, evasive, "subtle", vague, indirect, hinting, suggesting, anything other than direct, odds are they are not going to be direct with you about your diagnosis. Instead, they wait for signs that you are "ready" to hear that information.

So many posters here have reported that after months or even many years of therapy, when they finally disclosed their "crazy" symptoms and/or their self-diagnosis to their therapist the therapist responded with something reassuring like "Yes. I figured that out years ago." Argh! So much time, energy, and money wasted on anxiety about what the response might be.

If your therapist is going to blow a fuse or wig out on you, isn't it so much better to find that out sooner than later?

If you fear involuntary commitment to a hospital, plan ahead. Bring friends to your session and have them wait in the lobby. Talk through with your support network what you are going to share with the therapist. Find out what the laws are where you live. Does the therapist even have the power to commit anyone? How would that work? What are the most effective countermeasures? Knowledge equals power and reduces anxiety.