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Treatments and Drugs For Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Treatment of DID is difficult for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons are secrecy on the client's part making him or her reluctant to seek help, including the difficulty in diagnosing the disorder once the client presents. Typically, an individual with DID will require many years of treatment. Generally a DID patient will need to be given several different treatments methods over a period of 5-7 years or may be more allpsych.com/disorders/dissociative/did.html.

Some of the treatments offered to a DID patient may include:

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for dissociative disorders. This form of therapy, also known as talk therapy, counseling or psychosocial therapy, involves talking about the disorder with a mental health professional. The therapist will help patient remember and work through the trauma that triggered the Dissociative symptoms (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research , 2007). The course of psychotherapy may be long and painful, but this treatment approach can be effective in the treatment of DID .

Creative Art Therapy: This therapy uses the creative process to help people who might have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings. Creative art therapy includes art, dance and movement, drama, music and poetry. Things such as keeping a journal or creating art is also encouraged during treatment to help bring the past and present together (Baxter, 2007)

Medications: Although there are no medications that specifically treat Dissociative disorders, Medications like anti-depressants or tranquilizers are a very common treatment method because the personalities may have anxiety or mood disorders and the medications may help control the mental health symptoms associated with the disorders. Generally medications are not recommended because maintenance and effective use of prescriptions given to multiple personality states is difficult to attain. If medication is prescribed, it should be carefully monitored (Psych Central, 2006).

 Alternative Medicines: The therapist may recommend using hypnosis, as part of the treatment for a Dissociative disorder. Hypnosis creates a state of deep relaxation and quiets the mind. In hypnotized state, the patient can concentrate on a specific thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research , 2007). Hypnosis is also perceived to be an effective treatment to uncover painful repressed memories or even to help stop behaviors carried out by alters such as self mutilation or eating disorders. Hypnosis is also used in the "fusing" process. Hypnosis is generally safe as a complementary treatment method. Some doctors also believe in botanical medicine, message, and yoga as effective treatment (Baxter, 2007).

Self-Help: Online self-help groups are a growing trend, and individuals with DID are beginning to form online self-help support groups, in addition to the traditional (in person) self-help groups (Psych Central , 2006).

The prognosis of DID treatment is actually quite good for patients who are treated properly. It may take several years but the treatment is usually very effective (AllPsych and Heffner Media Group, Inc, 2004). Like anything else the early it is diagnosed and treated the better the prognosis. Whenever possible, the optimal aim of treatment is to move the client towards a 'better integrated functioning" (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, 2005) . Some clients may achieve complete merging of their identities into one. Others clients will not, however will successfully achieve a "cooperative arrangement among alternate identities" and greatly improve their emotional, and interpersonal functioning and employability. (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, 2005).