NAMI-Juneau
Cheryl P.
This multi-faceted face depicts life as a person with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). There are 8 sections representing 9 personalities or 'alters.'
Each segment displays something about that particular personality. Together, they make a whole, as shown by there being one face in the outline.
There is only one eye, but it is in every section. That's because everyone was always watching out, on guard, viewing their surroundings, the situation, etc. There is no mouth because in many mental health hospitalizations I was forbidden to talk about the alters and they were forbidden to speak or appear. If those things happened I was restricted to my room or moved to a 'quiet room'- a polite name for locked, padded cell.
One ear is blocked shut- to block out certain sounds in memory. The other was always listening for the smallest sound, every word, part of the hyper-vigilance that I experience yet today.
There is no nose because odors and certain fragrances, along with sound, needed to be blocked.
All of these 'parts' were one person- me. Each had specific talents, characteristics, strengths and challenges, all of which were in the personality of the individual or 'Host.' That personality just happened to be fragmented into separate and distinct parts, with each part (alter) coming out at specific times to handle specific events. Dissociative Identity Disorder has long been a controversial diagnosis. Even among Mental Health Care Providers there remains contention about the origin, validity, cause and effect of the disorder.
After many years of misdiagnosis, mental health ward stays, and inpatient treatment centers I was fortunate to find a therapist who believed in me. Together with a core group of amazingly patient, accepting and supportive friends, she helped me move from survival to existence and, finally, back to living. It took decades but I eventually resumed my life as a self supporting, employed person who contributes to society, has friends, and is glad to be alive. The alters, who I once considered my enemies, became my friends and allies, then in time melded together to become the individual I am today.
I consider myself living proof that DID does exist and that multiple personalities can be created within a person. I also consider myself to be living proof that mental illness can be treated and in many cases managed or resolved with proper treatment and time. Life can go on- and it can be well worth the effort. I know mine is.
Cheryl P.
This multi-faceted face depicts life as a person with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). There are 8 sections representing 9 personalities or 'alters.'
Each segment displays something about that particular personality. Together, they make a whole, as shown by there being one face in the outline.
There is only one eye, but it is in every section. That's because everyone was always watching out, on guard, viewing their surroundings, the situation, etc. There is no mouth because in many mental health hospitalizations I was forbidden to talk about the alters and they were forbidden to speak or appear. If those things happened I was restricted to my room or moved to a 'quiet room'- a polite name for locked, padded cell.
One ear is blocked shut- to block out certain sounds in memory. The other was always listening for the smallest sound, every word, part of the hyper-vigilance that I experience yet today.
There is no nose because odors and certain fragrances, along with sound, needed to be blocked.
All of these 'parts' were one person- me. Each had specific talents, characteristics, strengths and challenges, all of which were in the personality of the individual or 'Host.' That personality just happened to be fragmented into separate and distinct parts, with each part (alter) coming out at specific times to handle specific events. Dissociative Identity Disorder has long been a controversial diagnosis. Even among Mental Health Care Providers there remains contention about the origin, validity, cause and effect of the disorder.
After many years of misdiagnosis, mental health ward stays, and inpatient treatment centers I was fortunate to find a therapist who believed in me. Together with a core group of amazingly patient, accepting and supportive friends, she helped me move from survival to existence and, finally, back to living. It took decades but I eventually resumed my life as a self supporting, employed person who contributes to society, has friends, and is glad to be alive. The alters, who I once considered my enemies, became my friends and allies, then in time melded together to become the individual I am today.
I consider myself living proof that DID does exist and that multiple personalities can be created within a person. I also consider myself to be living proof that mental illness can be treated and in many cases managed or resolved with proper treatment and time. Life can go on- and it can be well worth the effort. I know mine is.