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[OutofIdeas]

Hi Joonbug that sounds pretty frightening. What exactly are the symptoms and did they just present or was there always some telling signs? I think you need as much information and support as he does and its great that youve joined this group. Hopefully someone with the same issue will reach out and give you some cues. Best of luck.

[balance37]

Hi @Howtomakegravy 

Person diagnosed with DID here.!

Your step daughter definitely needs a formal diagnosis, as it could be an array of things including factitious disorder, Borderline personality disorder or even schizoaffective or schizophrenia.

I'm no expert, but I am aware that there is a current underground "trend" online amongst younger people who self diagnose with DID and then present these symptoms. I am by no means saying that this is the case for her, only that she needs to be evaluated.

My DID diagnosis took approximately 3 years, and I wasn't even aware I had it at the time!

If she does have DID, then unfortunately it also means she will have experienced significant and ongoing trauma throughout her childhood as well. And that is a long recovery journey to heal from, but definitely worth it (still on that journey myself). Take care of yourself and all the best!

[frangipani8]

Hello everyone,

I'm so grateful to find this community, I am here because my 19 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with BPD. Not going to deny that I am terrified and heartbroken for her journey ahead. The silver lining with her official diagnosis, is that we now have a better understanding of her behaviour and we can now take steps on how to help her.

There are no drug/alcohol addiction signs that I can see, but she is engaging in promiscuous behaviour, often juggling multiple partners at any one time and we are deeply concerned for her safety. She struggles forming friendships and connecting with others and I feel this may be the reason why.

We’re starting a 22-week DBT program soon, in which she’s agreed to attend, but we can only hope she sticks with it. Her father, her sister, and I feel powerless - like bystanders watching helplessly as she self-destructs. Every day is filled with anxiety, wondering what she’ll do next.

My heart breaks reading your stories, and wish everyone strength in this journey.

[Ru-bee]

Hello and welcome @frangipani8 

Thank you for sharing some of your story here, I'm so glad that you've found this space to connect with peers. 

I am hearing that is a scary time, but what also stands out to me is the huge steps that have been taken by receiving a diagnosis, and enrolling in a DBT program. While there may still be a long road ahead for all of you, these sound to be definite steps in the right direction.

I know that often when we're caring for others we can sometimes forget that we need support ourselves, do you have supports that you can lean on when the anxiety and worry becomes overwhelming?