EDIT: Hi everyone, this AMA has ended. Thank you for all the wonderful questions! Visit www.rebeccalester.com to learn more about Rebecca Lester's work, including her latest book "Famished: Eating Disorders and Failed Care in America" (2019).

Dissociative identity disorder (DID)—commonly referred to as “split” or multiple personalities—is a clinical psychological condition in which a person has two or more distinct identities that regularly take control of the person's behavior. DID is traditionally treated with the goal of integrating the fragmented parts, but that’s not the only solution.

In an article published by Scientific American, I shared my experience of treating “Ella” (pseudonym used to protect the patient’s privacy), a young woman with 12 different personalities. Ella’s identities ranged in age from two to 16. Each part had a different name; her own memories and experiences; and distinctive speech patterns, mannerisms and handwriting.

Read the full story: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-traumatized-woman-with-multiple-personalities-gets-better-as-her-parts-work-as-a-team/

Therapists must remember that we are guests and that however much training and knowledge we may have, we can never truly know what it is like to live with a particular inner reality. The client is the true expert on their own experience. I took this approach to my work with Ella and her parts, who were adamant that they did not want integration. My goal, then, was to focus less on the number of selves she had than with how those selves worked together—or not—in her daily life. Was it possible to bring those selves into a harmonious coexistence? Ella thought it was, and so did I, so that was the mission we embarked on in therapy.

Proof: https://imgur.com/a/QSP0Wmq

Disclaimer: I cannot provide therapy on social media. Please call 911 if you’re experiencing a mental health emergency. If you are in crisis and need help, contact the National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org) or Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741-741).