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Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative identity disorder (DID)

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Barkha ChikaraChief Medical Officer, MD (Psychiatry) from NIMHANS · Last reviewed October 2026

Dissociative identity disorder is a condition in which a person has two or more distinct identity states and gaps in memory for everyday events or personal history. It usually develops after severe, repeated childhood trauma. It is real, often misunderstood, and treatable over time.

About 1 in 10 adults in India lives with a mental disorder (National Mental Health Survey, 2015-16). You are not alone.

Care in the language you think in

At a glance

Common signs

  • Presence of distinct identity states
  • Memory gaps between states
  • Amnesia for personal history
  • Depersonalisation or derealisation
See more

How it is usually treated

  • Phase-based trauma therapy
  • EMDR adapted for dissociation
  • Internal Family Systems
  • DBT skills
See more

Where to start

A free pre-consultation call, then a video assessment with a psychiatrist. In danger? Call 112, or Tele-MANAS on 14416.

Book your free pre-consultation call

Registered clinicians: psychiatrists with their State Medical Council, psychologists with the Rehabilitation Council of India.

Signs

Tick any that feel familiar. This is not a diagnosis, only a clinician can assess you.

How people often describe it

  • “I lose time and cannot remember what I did”
  • “I feel like there are different parts of me”
  • “I find unfamiliar things in my home”
  • “I feel disconnected from myself”

People who live with dissociative identity disorder may also notice PTSD, depression or borderline personality traits. If any of these sound familiar, mention them to your clinician so your plan can cover them.

When to get help soon

Get help soon if you feel unsafe or have thoughts of harming yourself. Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or 112.

How it is diagnosed

A psychiatrist or psychologist takes a careful history over several sessions, with attention to trauma, memory and identity, and rules out other causes. It requires an experienced clinician.

Treatment and support

  • Phase-based trauma therapy: safety and stability first, then processing, then integration
  • Skills for grounding and managing dissociation
  • DBT skills
  • Long-term psychotherapy
  • Treating related depression or anxiety

How Mindly helps

Mindly's psychiatrists assess carefully and focus first on safety and stability. All care is online, by video.

You can talk to a psychiatrist online, read what a first online consultation involves and see how pricing works before you book. Related reading: when to see a psychiatrist.

Your first appointment

A psychiatrist listens at a pace you can manage, and asks about experiences of feeling detached, memory gaps and past stress.

Who is involved

A psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist work together, with a focus on safety, grounding and building trust.

Between sessions

Reviews are gentle and paced, and the plan is adjusted as you feel more steady.

What to expect

  1. Free pre-consultation callWe take your history and details, and match you with the right clinician.
  2. First consultationA video call in your language, with a clinician who already has your report.
  3. Your planYour clinician agrees a plan with you: therapy, medicine or both, as suits you.
  4. Follow-up reviewsRegular check-ins, and your plan is adjusted as you recover.
  5. Staying wellSupport to keep you well and catch early signs of a setback.

Every Mindly plan includes a second opinion from our Chief Medical Officer, a diagnosis-first approach and regular tracking of your recovery. How Mindly care works

Book your free pre-consultation call

Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.

Common questions

Is DID portrayed accurately in films and media?

Often not. Media can sensationalise it, and most people with DID are not dangerous.

Is it the same as multiple personalities in stories?

The older name was multiple personality disorder, but the real condition is about distinct identity states shaped by trauma.

Can it be treated?

Yes, usually with longer-term, phased therapy.

If you or someone near you is in danger, call 112. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416. Mindly Health is not an emergency service.

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Sources

Related conditions

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