City Research Online

Abstract

Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) has a significant impact upon a person’s life, and access to appropriate therapeutic support is imperative for this population. Despite this, DID has been the source of controversy for many years and people with these experiences can face professionals and a healthcare system that are ill equipped to support them. Research into treatment approaches for DID suggests that while therapy can be helpful it doesn’t always result in reduced dissociation, and attrition is high. This study seeks to give voice to those with DID by exploring their lived experience of therapy and in the process develop a deeper understanding of psychological treatment for this population.

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight people who identified as having DID, and data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Five Group Experiential Themes emerged from the analysis: ‘Therapy as “the hardest thing that I have ever, ever done”’, ‘Therapy can harm’, ‘The therapeutic relationship makes it possible: “one person can just change your life”’, ‘The therapy process as “life changing”: now there is “a fighting chance”’, and ‘Conflicted feelings towards therapy’. These findings illuminate the additional challenges that multiplicity can bring to therapy, suggesting that it can be a long and painful process. They also suggest that therapy can feel reminiscent of previous abuse, with short-term approaches sometimes causing more problems than they resolve. Participants conveyed various ways in which the therapeutic relationship changed their lives, inviting possibilities for previously unimaginable progress, and described how the therapy process can lead to real, sustainable change. Importantly, the findings also captured the intense ambivalence that those with DID can feel toward therapy, which can be simultaneously wanted and deeply feared.

These findings are considered in relation to existing literature, and potential implications for clinical practice and future research are drawn.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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