The Risks of Being Open About Your DID Diagnosis

Disclosing a dissociative identity disorder (DID) diagnosis is a personal choice. There are many options regarding dos and don'ts of disclosure, and all of the pros and cons should be considered before making a decision. It is especially important to consider the risks of disclosing a DID diagnosis, and be prepared for any negative consequences that may come as a result of being open.

Being Open About Your DID Diagnosis Can Have Negative Effects

While acceptance of mental health issues has improved over the years, there is still considerable stigma surrounding mental illness, especially DID. Many people wrongly label people with DID as crazy and unstable. They believe that DID makes a person dangerous. The truth is that many with DID lead normal, relatively stable lives.

Disclosing a DID diagnosis involves considerable risk (Should You Tell People You Have a Mental Illness?). There is no guarantee how the person will take the news. Some people end up being very understanding, and they can become strong sources of support. On the other hand, some people may respond by pushing you away. Even being open about DID to other family members can lead to being ostracized from his or her family.

Being Open About My DID Diagnosis Affected My Life

When I accepted the position as writer for Dissociative Living nearly one year ago, I knew that meant the world would know about my DID diagnosis. I did not want to be ashamed of my disorder. I wanted people to know the real me, and DID is part of the real me.

I never expected my DID diagnosis to be used against me. Unfortunately, someone found my posts here and on my personal blog and reported them to the school I attended. All of a sudden, my DID diagnosis became a concern (Dissociative Identity Disorder DSM 5 Criteria). It didn't matter that I had a perfect GPA and had done excellent work. Instead of outstanding student, I became the person with that 'dangerous' dissociative identity disorder. My diagnosis trumped all of the good work that I had done.

For the first time, I became ashamed of my disorder. I cut myself off from the DID label. I didn't want to talk about my DID in therapy. I considered leaving Dissociative Living, fearing that any person that found the blog would use my DID against me. I was afraid that this diagnosis would follow me forever, and prevent me from achieving anything.

I know that if I never wrote this blog, if I just hid my diagnosis from the world, I wouldn't be in the situation I am in today. I'd still be in graduate school, working towards becoming a licensed counselor. But then I would have never had the opportunities I have had, I wouldn't have had the chance to share my story with others and to learn from others' experiences as I have so much in this past year.

A DID Diagnosis Does Not Define You or Me

I'm not ashamed any more. I am not to blame for my disorder. I should be able to be open about it without being judged. I am still a human being. I am an intelligent, caring, kind, and passionate individual with the potential to do really amazing things. I also happen to have DID.

Never judge a person by their diagnosis. It's just a label. Peel the label and look underneath. That's where you'll find the true person.

I spent most of my life in silence because I didn't have a choice. Now I have choices, and I will not be silent anymore. I have dissociative identity disorder. It does not have me.

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