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I always thought that after a few nights lying awake, sleep would eventually come. It would be the only option left. I thought staying awake repeatedly would mean the body and mind would crave sleep.
But it doesn't work like that. Something chronic insomniacs know all too well.
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a highly dysfunctional, long term disabling and pervasive mental illness. It's exhausting, time consuming and frustrating, but I have developed techniques and strategies to help me exist on a daily basis.
While DID has affected my ability to work and socialise, my strategies help me get the most out of each day. I hope they can be of use to you or a loved one living with DID.
For some people, being diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a huge shock.
It's frightening to find out you have 'personalities' in your head and they've been there for years, or there are alters present and you haven't known about them.
Imagine watching a film about the mental illness you’ve just been diagnosed with. Now imagine that film paints a picture of violence and danger. It suggests people with your condition are a terrifying threat to society.
Hollywood loves to use extreme depictions of mental illness to make movies, and they’re not always concerned with accuracy or sensitivity.
The latest example, Split, portrays a highly stigmatising, inaccurate version of dissociative identity disorder (DID).
So it’s time to counter the myths with some facts.