I just want to ask if a person with this disorder needs to be confined in an institution? or just a session of talking to him would do? He can still do things normally and has a job..however if things are not fine he locks himself up.And i think he has suicidal tendencies? When we argue he says things like ending it. But I think hes afraid of being confined for he might loose it?I just hope hes getting the right info about it because i think hes afraid of loosing it.
Answer:
Rarely does someone with DID require hospitalization, but I won't say never. I had one client who had an alter that was acutely suicidal and another alter admitted herself to the hospital until the suicidal part was able to contract not to act on the thoughts.
DID is generally treated on an out-patient basis, but it is not short-term therapy unfortunately. It usually takes many years before integration is achieved, although not all folks choose integration as the goal.(I believe strongly that integration is always the goal of therapy and I explain that to clients, but I certainly respect their choice to stop short of it or take breaks from therapy as needed)
Many people with DID function exceedingly well in certain areas, but it is pretty difficult to remain dissociated and still function well in all the important areas of work, intimate relationships and social spheres. Consider that the behavior is often inconsistent in the extreme and that major chunks of memory are missing, however the greater degree of co-consciousness along with cooperation among parts predicts greater viability as these symptoms can then be greatly reduced without the necessity of fully integrating all the traumatic memories. It's been my experience that once this begins to happen and there is genuine acceptance amongst parts, integration will often begin to occur spontaneously.
Good luck and I am glad that the info was useful to you. I'd still suggest seeking a therapist for yourself as there will be many hurdles ahead for both of you and questions that only a therapist who knows you and your situation well can answer, plus the support will help diminish the sense of feeling so alone.
Most people with DID are not in institutions. However, I think you'd need more than one session to deal with any part that has suicidal tendencies.
There are resouces online - David Baldwin's trauma pages, for one. And, organizations like ISSTD, the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, which has a list of clinicians who specialize in working with people who are dissociative.
Seek help. This is a workable diagnosis - people heal.
If you feel you need some time inpatient, look into the trauma program at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore.