Healthshots
By Aayushi Gupta
Published Mar 5, 2024
Due to internal conflicts and distress associated with managing multiple personalities, people with DID may experience hopelessness that can lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Chronic feelings of sadness, emptiness, and despair are common among those with DID. The constant struggle to reconcile conflicting identities and past traumas can contribute to the development of depression.
Disrupted sleep patterns, including insomnia or nightmares, are prevalent in individuals with DID. Nightmares may be particularly distressing, as they can involve traumatic events that you have experienced in the past.
Feeling uncertain about who you are and a disconnect from oneself and the world are symptoms of DID. You may even struggle to recognise yourself or feel like a different person at different times.
Significant gaps in memory, often referred to as dissociative amnesia, can occur in individuals with DID. These memory lapses may involve forgetting personal information, events, or even entire periods.
Some individuals with DID may experience auditory or visual hallucinations, perceiving sounds or sights that are not present in reality. This can increase the risk of memory loss and self-harm.
Coping with the distress and inner turmoil associated with DID may lead some individuals to turn to substances such as alcohol or drugs as a means of self-medication. However, substance misuse can exacerbate symptoms.