My partner believes he may have an alternate personality. Several months ago he was hospitalised with an illness he contracted while overseas and had a severe reaction to one of the medicines he was given during treatment. He's since slowely recovered but has been complaining of headaches and memory loss.
We've been together almost 18 years and i've never once felt i was dealing with anyone other than him. I've never noticed anything other than the usual up and down mood swings we all have. The cynic in me thinks he should stay off google dr but he's genuinely really worried and its putting a strain on our relationship. I don't know what to say or do. He is in consultation with his gp and is having tests done. He's also been recommended to see a psych.
So my question is, is there anyone out there in a relationship with a partner with multiple personalities? Is there anyone whose had someone they know suddenly be diagnosed with it? What do i do? I'm really lost.
2 Replies
It's very very rare. There is debate about wether it genuinely exists as a diagnosis.
It's unlikely he would develop this condition in adulthood but it's important you allow his psychologist to help him out.
Often what happens after a major illness is people get anxious and scared and start to inagine other conditions.
It's highly unlikely that your husband would suddenly develop dissosciative identity (multiple personality) disorder in adulthood. It's rare and is usually liked to serious and prolonged trauma during childhood/adolescence. In the absence of any other psychological symptoms prior to this mysterious medical illness, and/or unless he has suddenly been triggered to remember some huge trauma he experienced as a child, I don't think DID would just emerge.
Your husband should definitely go see a GP and get a referral to a psychiatrist for an assessment but i think theyll probably tell him what you already suspect (that he doesn't have it). There might be another medical (not psychological!) explanation for the blackouts and headaches.
All the best..
(I'm a clinical psychologist)