Home Remedies and Herbs for Dissociative Identity Disorder

The Mayo Clinic defines dissociated disorders as “mental disorders that involve experiencing a disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identity. ”One type of dissociative disorder is called dissociative identity disorder, also sometimes referred to as multiple personality disorder. This is a rare condition in which a person exhibits two or more personalities. Oftentimes, they don’t know these separate personalities exist and have difficulty recalling events from when the other personalities were active.² Dissociated identity disorder is similar to borderline personality disorder but more severe.³

What Causes Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Dissociative identity disorder is thought to be the result of severe childhood trauma.² This trauma may include physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, war, or natural disasters.⁴ Theories say that the condition forms as a defense mechanism by separating aspects of one’s own personality as a way to deal with severe emotional and physical pain.² Children who experience long-term sexual or emotional abuse are at highest risk of developing dissociative identity disorder.⁴ However, other forms of trauma can increase the risk in both children and adults. The condition is not known to arise due to other medical conditions or substance abuse.²

Dissociative Identity Disorder Symptoms

Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by two or more separate personalities present in the same individual.² These personalities can eventually establish their own names, lifestyles, mannerisms, and more.⁴ The person will forget what happened when the other personalities were active.² Because of this, amnesia is one of the more common dissociative identity disorder symptoms.⁴ Dissociative disorders can also lead to suicidal thoughts or actions, self-harm, sexual dysfunction, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, and a variety of other complications.⁴ Symptoms can cause an incredible amount of stress, leading to issues with personal relationships and work.⁵

Diagnosis is made through a variety of physical and psychiatric exams.⁵ Physical exams are necessary to rule out any other diagnosis, such as head injury, sleep disorders, or certain types of brain disease.⁵ A psychiatric exam allows mental health professionals to ask patients about their symptoms to reach a proper diagnosis. Testimonials from close friends or family members may also be used with permission.⁵ Dissociative identity disorder treatment usually involves professional counseling.² Certain drugs and herbs may help reduce and control dissociative identity disorder symptoms.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/home/ovc-20269555
2. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa48261
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719457/
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/dxc-20269565
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/diagnosis-treatment/diagnosis/dxc-20269606