I’ve been writing for Odyssey now since February. Although it may have seemed like an odd time to take on a new obligation, writing articles for a larger audience as well as being able to promote some that I had written and published here or in other blogs has been a distraction from medical frustrations and lack of answers. It’s been fun.

This week I chose to share something that I wrote about one of the challenges I face every minute of every day: Dissociative Identity Disorder. During my childhood people called it “Multiple Personality Disorder,” but no one knew I had it.

Here’s the article on Odyssey:

Time-Sharing A Body

My life with polyfragmented dissociative identity disorder

For most of my life, I have experienced episodes of time loss and what my family and friends termed as “moody” behavior. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Attention Deficit Disorder. Then they began adding other diagnoses: Bipolar Affective Disorder, rapid cycling type was one that just did not react to the medication because I didn’t have that disorder. This went on for decades.

I was almost 50 when I found a psychologist who specialized in dissociation and they tested me. There was no doubt. I didn’t just have any “dissociative disorder,” I had Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), a mental injury (caused by complex PTSD) that had previously been referred to as “Multiple Personality Disorder” or MPD.

While researching this disorder, I came across this quote, “DID is arguably one of the most misunderstood and controversial diagnoses in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). But it is a real and debilitating disorder that makes it difficult for people to function.” Oh how we agree with that statement!!! Although previously thought to be a rare disorder, it has been found that 1 to 3 percent of the general population actually meet the criteria for a diagnosis of DID, making it just as common as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Also, not all personalities are obvious changes, it isn’t like the movies or TV shows that have been produced about multiples. (Click here to read the rest on Odyssey)

Next week watch Odyssey for an article about what herb can CURE addictions!

Thank you for your interest in my writing! Have a wonderful day full of Love and Lighte!