Multiple Personality Disorder from the Inside Out

This is a collection of thoughts, feelings and short anecdotes by individuals diagnosed with MPD. It was put out by Sidran Press in 1991, edited by Barry Cohen, Esther Giller and Lynn W.

The book was written at a time when this diagnosis had finally been accepted as a "real" diagnosis, and there were many conferences going on to teach therapists more about it so they could diagnose and treat patients better. It was gradually being seen as something that came out of enormous childhood trauma, instead of a one in a million occurrence, like Sybil or Eve. It was also to assist people in understanding that the symptoms of MPD cover a wide spectrum and a lot of people really do have it. The book was compiled from questionnaires answered by MPD patients (the questionnaires were sent out in 1990 to subscribers of a couple of professional journals to reach this population) and the point is to support people that have it, their friends and family and therapists.

It was nice reading parts of it again, it's always nice when you feel like part of a group, and you're not the only one. I read the extremely short chapter on integration. Seems like back in 1991 people were not necessarily integrating but leaving it open, as a choice. I don't agree with that, unless the person doesn't have a choice, which could happen of course. But if you have a choice, you should try and integrate. This way of life is primitive and disruptive and alienating. It's also, of course, a very powerful survival tool that has allowed me to accomplish a lot in my time on earth.

Chapter 9 "Other Voices"

Dedicated to my best friend and cheerleader.

p. 206
"Living with someone who experiences MPD has changed, enriched, and deepened my life. She is wonderful in many ways. She is one of the most creative people I've ever met. Living with a person with MPD demands integrity on the part of the significant other. A person with MPD will mirror those parts of yourself that need work. If you accept the challenge to change, they will accept nothing short of your best effort. I suggest that significant others look within themselves for answers when problems arise in "the relationship." MPD may not always be the reason for the relationship dilemma. In fact, MPD may become the scapegoat for areas of personal weakness and immaturity in the "normal" partner. It has been said that relationships "sand us down to the core of our divinity..."

by Elizabeth M.

p. 222
"MPD is just something to work through, like depression, or alcoholism, or any of the other difficult things that go on in this world. It is not a death sentence, you will survive. And most importantly, so will the person with MPD. Make sure you let them know that -every week, every day, every hour, if necessary. Always keep hope, even in the face of doubt, sadness, fear, and rage. My significant other is the best thing that has ever happened to me. If it weren't for her ability to survive horrible, unexplainable, inhumane torture and abuse, my life would not be so rich. She is a gift, a wonder-not just to me, but to all the people whose lives she has touched."

--a friend of Lisa's

Sidran has a great web site at www.sidran.org.