Upstream Counselling offers therapy for dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder. We can help manage this mental health condition impacting identity.
Living with dissociative identity disorder can feel really confusing and exhausting. People with dissociative identity disorder often experience dissociative symptoms, dissociative amnesia, and identity confusion, and it can sometimes feel like their different identities are working against each other. At Upstream Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo, we help patients with dissociative identity disorder understand their different identities, navigate dissociative phenomena, and start to feel a stronger sense of self again.
In therapy, individuals with dissociative identity disorder learn how to recognize dissociated identity states, communicate between alters, and reduce the fragmentation of identity. Many people notice overlapping symptoms with posttraumatic stress disorder or borderline personality disorder, and working on these together can really help in building a more unified identity.
DID therapy is helpful for anyone diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder or showing symptoms like identity confusion, severe dissociative symptoms, or dissociative amnesia. Our therapists guide patients with dissociative identity disorder in managing symptoms, understanding identity states, and slowly reclaiming a clearer sense of identity—so it’s not just theory, it’s practical support you can actually feel.
Living with dissociative identity disorder can feel confusing and overwhelming. Dissociative identity disorder treatment can help people with dissociative identity disorder manage symptoms of dissociative identity disorder, understand their personality states, and feel more in control of their sense of identity.
Sometimes it feels like your different personality states are all over the place, or like one identity may take over without warning. Therapy helps individuals with dissociative identity notice these personality states, recognize subtle symptoms, and make sense of dissociative phenomena so life feels more manageable.
Symptoms of dissociative identity disorder may include dissociative amnesia, identity confusion, or overlapping symptoms with posttraumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder. Therapy gives practical tools for treating dissociative disorders, handling triggers safely, and learning how to respond instead of feeling out of control.
Dissociative identity disorder is often presented as a fragmentation of identity, which can feel scary or isolating. Therapy helps patients with dissociative identity disorder explore their identity states, integrate them when possible, and build a more unified sense of identity and emotional balance.
Dissociative identity disorder is often presented as a fragmentation of identity, which can feel scary or isolating. Therapy helps patients with dissociative identity disorder explore their identity states, integrate them when possible, and build a more unified sense of identity and emotional balance.
Dissociative identity disorder can affect the people around you, too. Therapy helps families, partners, and loved ones understand personality states, improve communication, and support the recovery process in a safe, compassionate way.
The appropriate goal of treatment is to help patients with dissociative identity disorder manage symptoms, understand identity states, and build coping strategies. Over time, therapy can help you feel more confident, stable, and in control of your sense of identity.
Take control of the process.
Beginning therapy can feel daunting but the truth is you decide what (and when) to share. Our diverse team specializes in a range of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues. No matter your situation, we're here to support your journey to empowerment and mental wellness.
Your therapist is your guide.
Finding the right therapist is key to achieving your goals. Dip your toes into the therapy experience by booking a free consultation with one of our registered psychotherapists. These appointments are an opportunity to address your questions and explore your challenges, needs, and aspirations.
Commit to the experience.
To maximize the benefits of counselling it’s important you attend sessions consistently. When in session, we encourage you to lead the agenda. (Remember, this is YOUR therapy!) Between sessions, we hope you will strive to apply new insights, practice new skills, and develop new habits that support personal growth.
Have you ever felt like your personality states are disconnected, or that one identity may take over without warning? It can feel confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes lonely.
At Upstream Counselling, we understand how challenging this can be. Our treatment of dissociative identity disorder is designed to help people with dissociative identity disorder manage symptoms of dissociative disorders, understand personality states, and develop strategies that help them feel more grounded and in control of their lives.
Dissociative identity disorder is presented in many ways and may also coexist with psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder. Therapy helps you notice subtle symptoms, manage severe symptoms, and track experiences using tools like the dissociative experiences scale. Sessions are available online or in-person, so support fits your schedule and lifestyle.
Living with dissociative identity disorder may include dissociative amnesia, new identity formation, or triggers that cause dissociative episodes. Therapy gives you practical ways to understand symptoms and behaviours, manage triggers, and build coping skills that make day-to-day life feel more manageable.
The goal of treatment of dissociative identity disorder is to help you maintain one identity or communicate between personality states, strengthen your sense of self, and improve emotional balance. Over time, therapy can help you feel more confident, empowered, and in control of your experiences.
If you’re ready to start treatment of dissociative identity disorder, we’re here to guide you. Reach out today to begin understanding your personality states, managing symptoms, and building a stronger sense of identity.
At Upstream Counselling, we want you to feel comfortable with the counselling process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about talking to a therapist about this type of therapy.
Sometimes it feels like parts of yourself are disconnected, or you can’t quite remember things you should. Recognizing these experiences can be the first step toward understanding and support.
Shifts in personality states: Dissociative identity disorder usually includes different personality states, often called split personality disorder or multiple personality disorder. One identity may or may not be aware of the others.
Memory gaps: Dissociative amnesia can make it hard to recall events, conversations, or even parts of your day. Symptoms cannot simply be explained as normal forgetfulness.
Emotional ups and downs: Symptoms of depression, PTSD symptoms, and other psychological symptoms are often considered symptoms of dissociative disorders. You might notice sudden mood swings or feelings that don’t match what’s happening around you.
Alters with unique traits: Dissociative identity disorder includes alters who might have their own habits, voices, or ways of seeing the world. Symptoms may appear stronger during stressful times or reminders of past trauma.
Physical or sensory changes: Some people notice changes in posture, voice, or handwriting when a different personality state is present.
Triggers and stress: Symptoms depend on emotional stress, trauma reminders, or environmental factors. Dissociative disorders may become more noticeable when life feels overwhelming.
Other dissociative types: Dissociative disorder not otherwise specified (DDNOS) and other major dissociative disorders involve similar symptoms but may not meet the full criteria for DID.
Getting a diagnosis can feel like relief and uncertainty at the same time, but it’s all about understanding your experiences better.
Structured assessments: Diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder using tools like the dissociative experiences scale helps clinicians see patterns of dissociation over time.
Symptom check: Symptoms must include changes in personality states, dissociative amnesia, and other psychological symptoms. Clinicians ensure symptoms cannot be explained by another psychiatric disorder.
Differential diagnosis: Dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia, factitious disorder, or other identity disorder and dissociative disorder conditions must be ruled out.
History and context: People who develop dissociative disorders often have a history of trauma. The development of dissociative identity disorder usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
Observation of patterns: One identity may or may not appear in certain situations, and symptoms are often mainly dissociative.
Collaboration: Friends or family may provide insight into how dissociative behaviours appear in daily life.
Comprehensive evaluation: Making the diagnosis also includes checking for major dissociative disorders, dissociative disorder not otherwise specified, PTSD symptoms, and symptoms of depression.
Alters are a natural response of your mind to stress or trauma. Understanding them can make the experience feel less confusing.
Alters explained: Dissociative identity disorder includes multiple personality states, sometimes called multiple personality disorder or split personality disorder. Each alter may have its own voice, behaviour, and perspective.
Memory gaps: Dissociative amnesia happens when an alter is in control, and memories from other identities are not accessible. Symptoms may include missing time or forgotten conversations.
Control and awareness: One identity may or may not know about the others, affecting how you behave and remember things.
Triggers: Dissociative disorders may develop as a protective response to trauma. PTSD symptoms or stressful events can trigger an alter to take over.
Behavioural differences: Alters may act, speak, or respond differently depending on which personality state is present. Symptoms depend on stress, context, and life events.
Factitious disorder consideration: While DID is real and not factitious, clinicians sometimes check to ensure symptoms cannot be intentionally produced.
Starting treatment for dissociative identity disorder (DID) can feel overwhelming, but it’s really about learning to live more comfortably with your personality states and managing symptoms in a safe, supportive way. Many people find that just understanding their alters and how they interact is a huge relief.
Symptom-focused care: Dissociative identity disorder treatment helps manage PTSD symptoms, dissociative amnesia, symptoms of depression, and other psychological symptoms. Symptoms must be addressed gradually, because trying to tackle everything at once can feel exhausting. Symptoms of the disorder often depend on stress levels and life events, so therapy adapts to each person’s experience.
Comorbid conditions: DID often overlaps with other psychiatric disorders, such as borderline personality disorder. Treatment considers these conditions too, since the disorder is also frequently interconnected with dissociative symptoms. Therapists create a plan that treats both DID and comorbid conditions, helping people feel more balanced.
Managing alters: Using structured models of dissociative therapy, dissociative identity disorder treatment helps people communicate and cooperate among different personality states. One identity may gradually learn to coexist with others, reducing inner conflict and confusion.
Integration and awareness: Therapy can help reduce memory gaps, improve communication between alters, and support a stronger sense of self, making life feel more stable.
Coping strategies: Grounding, mindfulness, and stress management techniques help people handle triggers and lessen symptoms of the disorder, making daily life more manageable.
Long-term support: Treatment guides people who develop dissociative disorders through the development of dissociative identity disorder, offering ongoing support, understanding, and hope for a more peaceful, connected life.
DID is often misunderstood, but knowing the facts can help you feel validated and less alone.
Debunking myths: Dissociative identity disorder is real, not just split personality disorder or factitious disorder. Symptoms cannot be faked.
Trauma-based development: People who develop dissociative disorders often do so as a response to trauma. The development of dissociative identity disorder is often linked to childhood abuse or repeated stressful events.
Recognizing symptoms: Symptoms include multiple personality states, dissociative amnesia, PTSD symptoms, and symptoms of depression. Symptoms are often mainly dissociative.
Variability: One identity may or may not become dissociative at different times, and symptoms depend on triggers, context, and life experiences.
Scientific perspective: Dissociative disorders may involve overlapping symptoms with other major dissociative disorders. Symptoms must be carefully evaluated using models of dissociative functioning.
Etiology and causes: The etiology of dissociative identity disorder includes trauma, psychological coping mechanisms, and environmental factors. Disorder is also influenced by genetic and social contexts.
Normalizing experiences: Dissociative identity disorder and dissociative disorder conditions are part of the identity disorder in the general population, helping reduce stigma and validate experiences.
Our team at Upstream Counselling is here to help you explore issues, gain insights, begin your journey towards healing, and work towards the goals you identify during the counselling process.
Personalized therapy designed to address specific mental health issues while also nurturing personal growth and well-being.
A counselling program focusing on fostering effective communication, resolving conflicts, and nurturing healthy relationships.
A program designed to support clinical growth, whether you’re a student or a seasoned professional.
Know who you want to book with?
Book Online HereHave questions about counselling or something else?
Call or email us.
Want help choosing the right therapist? Complete our connect form below.
We are ready and looking forward to meeting you. Get started today by clicking the link below and booking your free 15-minute discovery call. All our services are private and confidential.
Disclaimer: Content on this website is for informational purposes only. Visiting this website does not establish any type of therapist-client relationship with Upstream Counselling or its staff. Information obtained from this site does not substitute for a thorough medical and/or psychiatric evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.
