Transgendered Spouse has DID, I need someone to talk to.

[HugChomp]

Alright, i don't know where to start.

My name is Amanda, and my Wife, Kristan (christopher) has Dissociative Identity dissorder, as well as alcoholism and bipolar dissorder. She is thirty-seven, I am nineteen. I need to understand her DID more-so, as i am her sole support system. I as well suffer from severe bipolar, but am medicated.

You see, she has these 'Episodes,' i regretfully must call them, where her Alters exhibit certain disorders, depending on the personality, such as EXTREME schitzophrenia-like outbreaks, including severe paranoia and anxiety. I dont know what is caused by the DID or if anything els,e because i heard you cant have schitzophrenia and DID as well.

Certain alters are very manic and reckless, yet she refuses to further seek help.

How can i cope with this myself, as well as take care of her?

Is her behavior normal for someone wiht DID?

please help me, i'm not at all trying to sound insensitive, i just dont know what to do, she doesnt eat, she abuses every street drung she can find, she mutilates herself severely.

I love her so much, and i want to be able to do the right things aqnd support her.

[nobodyatall]

It sounds like some of her alters may have different mental illnesses. I have read that is common sometimes.

But you do have to treat her as one whole person and ask yourself if the substance abuse is something that requires intervention.

You are very young to be taking care of someone who is 37. I don't know the situation but you might consider whether it is selfish of her to expect you to take care of her when she won't go to therapy.

Mental illness is something you have to own and take responsibility for and limit the effect it has on the people you love. She may not be taking this responsibility seriously right now and you have to protect you too.

The number one thing that a significant other of a DID person is supposed to do from what I have read is to learn to be supportive but not try to rescue the sufferer.