Our King Can Put Humpty Dumpty Together Again!
Categorised in: Professional Resources
Understanding DID
“We don’t know what to do with these people! They are pouring off the streets into our home group fellowships. They are deeply wounded, and we don’t want to wound them further. We need you to teach us how to wisely minister to these multiple personality folks.”
This impassioned plea well over 10 years ago resulted in the presentation of a seminar on the subject at the Anaheim Vineyard. An increasing number of people with what used to be called Multiple Personality Disorder, now Dissociative Identity Disorder ( DID), are entering denominational churches as well.
Unfortunately, some psychotherapists and theologians totally disbelieve such a condition exists, which inhibits the mutual sharing of insights and discovery. However, it is documented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, chronicled in the late 1800’s by Dr. Eberhardt Gmelin of Germany, and has even been noted in Greek history. Several theories have been advanced about its causes, but I don’t have space here for a dissertation.
Even today in our universities, the condition is usually addressed briefly in required texts and the information is offered that it is so rare that one would probably never encounter it in their practice.
Research suggests that at least one in every 100 persons has dissociated significantly. The majority of my ministry caseload is composed of DID clients, and an increasing number of therapists from around the globe tell me that case numbers are on the rise.
One helpful way to explain DID is by reflecting upon Psalm 139 – that we are marvelously created in the image of the Lord. Our ability to understand the mechanics of dissociation is probably on a level with comprehending the triune nature of God. Both, however, are real. Webster defines dissociation as the separation of an idea or activity from the main stream of consciousness or of behavior, especially as a mechanism of defense. I tell my counselees they are very courageous simply because they chose life in the face of real or perceived life-threatening events. Their other two choices would have been insanity (inability to function in the real world) or death. Either choice would have served Satan’s purposes by keeping them from their divine destiny.
I see dissociation as a continuum. On one end is “normal” (most common), and then there are degrees of increasing separations from self. On the other end would be the inability to know at times what a part of one’s self is doing. This is known as an amnesic state or lack of co-consciousness. DID people may have amnesic states. However, we all dissociate in varying degrees. Daydreaming is dissociation, and so is “highway amnesia” – the capacity to perform a highly complex function such as driving a car, while our mind may be a million miles away.
Infants and children have not learned coping strategies but do have the God-given ability to dissociate when terrible things happen to them. This separation usually happens following repeated trauma before the age of six. It may result from prenatal (womb life) trauma such as an attempted abortion, from birth trauma, or from severe accidents. Perpetrated acts of violence by family members or evil intentioned groups are often achieved through calculated and highly technical torture and mind control which result in dissociation.
Please pay no attention to the sensationalized understanding of this condition spawned by media talk shows. People with DID are highly intelligent, creative, and talented people. Most of my clients are extraordinary artists, poets, musicians, thinkers, strategists, and theologians, functioning in moderately stressful life situations.
In dealing with persons with DID, first of all – know they are not crazy! Reassure them of that. It will be like living water to them. Constantly reinforce the fact that they are really all one person in one body but acting as many, each with a different function. They need a Christian therapist who is experienced in dissociative disorders. They may have been misdiagnosed as schizophrenic, borderline or bi-polar. They may have been institutionalized many times and given many medications which did not seem very helpful. This is because DID is not a bio-chemical imbalance of the brain. This condition is trauma based. It is possible for a person with DID to also have a chemical imbalance psychiatric condition as well.
Be aware that most of the parts of a dissociated person are children. It is important to meet each part on the developmental level where he or she has remained. Once trust is developed, the other personalities (“alters”) will come out of their inner world and can be in control of their body and function in the outer world. Respect and honor each alter as you would any individual. They have more than one world to manage!
Due to the terror these dear ones have suffered, trust is a near impossibility for them, which often results in a disastrous track record in relationships. For example, if the person is amnesic, it is possible for one part to agree to do something and the other part(s) not to know anything about it. This situation often results in the pain of being called a “liar” by family, friends and co-workers. It is helpful to know which part of a person is agreeing with you to do something. These people can change moods or alters instantaneously. This is a big difference compared with bipolar folks.
Several years ago I attended an international conference on ritual abuse where a presentation was given by a therapist and his client. They had been working together for ten years. They reported that at one juncture, the client was sure that demons or introjects were causing serious trouble. She had done a little work on her own to obtain some spiritual help with a bit of relief. However, she was able to be convinced by her therapist that such entities do not exist. They reported to have been “relatively stuck” since that “bunny trail”.
Tragic harm can result from deliverance if the minister does not differentiate between an alter personality and a demon. The person may seem like an adult and, within an instant, act very differently and incorrectly be perceived to be demonized. However, this may just be an alter, who had experienced the move of the Holy Spirit upon his or her heart to the point of trusting at last and daring to “come out”. Through our ignorance, he or she can be spiritually abused. This can greatly interrupt the healing process. Dissociated people may have demons and they may require deliverance. But it needs to be done through knowledgeable ministry with a great deal of discernment and sensitivity.
Approximately 80% cure rate for DID is possible: quite higher than for most other mental disorders. The time frame for healing depends upon several factors: a sense of safety, supportive people willing to pray with them, the number of fragmentations, the desire to become whole again, and adequate counseling.
I have prepared a DVD to be used as a tool to educate people about Dissociative Identity Disorder. It is twenty minutes long and can be used for the individual or groups of general public, professionals, or clients and their support people.
If you have not believed in this condition, I strongly encourage you to do your homework beyond what I have communicated. Much new information is available now with MRI’s and other technology.
If you do believe in this diagnosis but do not want to do work with it, I would say that if you were accurate about diagnoses and referred all of them, that your practice would be very slim. There are literally thousands of seriously dissociative people in our midst and many are significantly mind controlled as well. There is great wisdom in knowing our limits. It is also possible and usually extremely productive to partner with those who have the giftings and interest for the greatest benefit of the patient/client.
I realize that there is a high probability of missing the mark of the accurate diagnosis of many people who are dissociative due to the complexity of the condition.
As one of my mentors Reverend John Sanford, used to say, “May the Lord richly bless those of you who labor in the trenches of the sewers of mankind.” Your presence, listening and compassion are a degree of healing in and of themselves.
Helpful Resources:
Clark, Terri M., More Than One, An Inside Look at Multiple Personality Disorder, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Nashville, TN, 1993
Friesen, James G., Uncovering the Mystery of MPD, Here’s Life Publishers, San Bernadino, CA, 1991
Whitfield, Charles L., Memory and Abuse, Remembering and Healing the Effects of Trauma, Health Communications Inc., Deerfield Beach, FL,1995