Itâs mental health awareness month! How to support someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder.
If they disclose to you that they have DID:
âą Accept them. Tell them that you still respect and care for them.
âą Tell them that you are there if they need your help.
âą Tell them to let you know if there are any triggers that are important for you to know. If they choose to tell you any, be patient and understanding. Listen attentively.
Helpful things to say or ask:
âą âIs there anything you need me to do to make sure you feel safe in our relationship?
âą âIf you want to tell me more about it, I am here to listen.â
âą âIf there are any triggers you think I should be aware of, please let me know.â
âą âIâm here if you need help with anything.â
âą âI still love you and you are still my friend/family/partner.â
âą Ask if they are dangerous or if they are going to harm you.
âą Ask them what their trauma is.
âą Suggest that their mental illness is caused by supernatural or pseudoscientific means. (AKA, NEVER suggest that someone is possessed or haunted.)
âą Bombard them with questions.
âą Force then to switch as evidence.
âą React in an unkind or rude way.
âą Minimize or invalidate them.
âą Tell them DID isnât real.
âą Deny their existence or refuse to call their alters by their names.
âą Demand any answers from them.
Unhelpful things to say or ask:
âą âIâve known you for [span of time]. I would have noticed if you had it.â
âą âItâs fine as long as you arenât going to murder me.â
âą âWhatâs your trauma? Did [traumatic event] happen to you?â
âą âIsnât that really rare? How could you have it?â
âą âYou had an easy childhood so thereâs no way.â
âą âYou donât know what âhardâ is.â âYou were lucky to have the childhood you had.â
âą âI just donât get why youâre doing this to me.â
âą âCan you imagine how hard this is for me?â
âą âTell me your triggers.â
If theyâre switching or dissociating:
âą Be patient with them.
âą Tell them that itâs okay, and to take their time.
âą Politely ask whoâs fronting.
âą Reintroduce yourself, as if a new person just walked into the room.
âą Fill them in if they are unaware of what is going on.
âą Snap or clap in their face.
âą Express that you only want to interact with the previously fronting alter.
âą Raise your voice, or try to force them to âsnap out ofâ their dissociation.
âą Ask if they are going to harm you, or if they are âevilâ.
âą Tell them âthey should know whatâs happeningâ, or refuse to fill them in on what is happening.
âą Accuse or blame them for not being a good friend, not listening, or dissociating. ïżŒ
DID is a highly stigmatized disorder. People fear disclosing this disorder to their loved ones, because their safety could be compromised. They trusted you enough to tell you. It is your job to create a space of love, acceptance, and respect for them.
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