voices in my head, opinions appreciated

I don't know whether I got some form of DID or not, and hope that the knowledgeable folks on this forum can maybe help me out here.

I have different voices in my head. Whenever there's anything for me to think about, instead of just one voice, usually several voices would come up at once to discuss whatever is on the mind at the moment.

The annoying part is they all sound pretty much the same as me, it's not as if one would sound older, and another more feminine or whatever. But they DO have different opinions and would say things that are unexpected.

I don't have blackouts/memory loss, but these voices do give advice sometimes and can even force (As I was reading this line, one voice commented "Do I really FORCE you? You make me sound so mean...") me to do things I don't want to do (Like forcing me to get to class when I feel like sleeping in).

Here's an example of how things go in my head. After my philadelphia to pittsburgh flight, I got out of the airport and got a taxi ride home. The taxi let me off a couple of blocks from my apartment. I was feeling VERY tired and crappy as I walked home in a zombie like state of mind, thinking nothing. Voice in my head says to me, encouragingly, "You're doing well, almost home now, just a little further." Second voice immediately says to me, half jokingly, "You big baby, it was just a little plane ride." First voice immediately says to that second voice "You know he doesn't travel well (referring to my tendency to get air/car/boat sick real easy".

I didn't even pay attention to this little conversation, due to my tiredness, until 5 seconds after it ended, when I realized that 1) This may not be normal and 2) This is how it is in my head all the time.

And well, I have tried to discuss this with said voices ( One said referring to the phrase 'said voices' as I was typing it "gee that sounds so inpersonal") on numerous occasions. The conclusion is always that since I am happy most of the time and am a functional person, "if it ain't broken, don't fix it". While this is all well and good I'm still kinda curious, just what is it that goes on in my head, is it some kind of DID?

ps- after proof reading the document, a comment "what, you don't think we exist?" was made by one of the voices.

Only a very qualified therapist can make a DID diagnosis. I have DID and it doesn't sound like DID to me but everyone is different and I couldn't say for sure. Did you have a traumatic childhood? DID is usually a result of trauma as a way of coping. It does sound odd though, you really should talk to a therapist.

Hi

I have read that having conversations with yourself can be a sign of DID but does not necessarily mean you have it. the DSMIV criteria are: (paraphrased)

that there are two or more distinct personalities or personality states each with their own unique pattern of relating to the world

that these personality states take control of the body recurrently

Not being able to remember personal information which is too extenisve to be explained by forgetfullness

that the condition is not caused by a physiological reaction to drugs or alcohol


I dont know if that helps you, but I agree that talking to an experienced therapist would be a good idea. But you make a good point about 'if it aint broke'...if you are happy and functioning then you're right - why do you need therapy? so i guess i would say only seek advice if its really bothering you, otherwise just accept this is how things are for you..

Well, to answer the first person's question, my father was abusive when I was a kid.

Now about the criterias. These "voices" do look at things differently, like if I was on an airplane that's experiencing nasty turbulence, I might be thinking to myself "god I'm gonna be sick" while one of these voices would be going "whooo!" and be genuinely enjoying the situation. I don't do any drugs or drink all that much. Can't say I'm forgetful, I remember most things that happened after I'm 6 years old . Before 6 is a complete blur, but I figure that's just normal cause I was so young. I don't really know what "take control of the body" means. Sometimes one voice would become very dominant and would make most of the decisions, when normally decisions are made under reasonably democratic means involving discussions and stuff. But it's not like I actually lose control of my body.

But whatever, I guess this is just how I am and I sure as heck ain't gonna spend the money on therapy when I'm perfectly happy and functional, so meh.