Seeking expert counseling is a sign of strength. A personal relationship with a caring professional is proven clinically effective.

Dear friend,

I can understand how the marijuana might have helped you. As a relaxant, it did make you realize the tension in your body and mind. As a stimulator of cognitive though, it perhaps freed your mind to reach some insights about some delusional thinking,.

It may be a double edged sword, however. Marijuana, along with other recreational drugs such as ketamine, Ecstasy, hallucinogens, and dextromethorphan can also induce dissociative states. If you continue to use marijuana, monitor yourself most cautiously.

One other thing to consider is the possibility that your diagnosis is not correct. I know nothig of your case so I cannot make an assessment, but I can tell you that there might be some alternative reasons for the diagnosis that fits your possible symptoms. These are commonly mistaken for DID. They are Dissociation look-alikes that can be confused with DID:

• -Visual or auditory hallucinations could actually mean psychotic disorders
• -Blanking out (cognitive disruption) can mean ADHD or even seizures
• -Somatoform (conversion) symptoms could mean non-psychiatric medical problems
• -Dissociative memory lapses could be from learning disabilities, or merely not paying attention\
• -Switching between states (personalities) could really be rapid cycling of bipolar disorder.
• -Lack of emotional reaction to traumatic events could be merely healthy coping could mean ADHD.

These are all possibilities to consider. My role is to help you open your mind to all possibilities.

I do not know how to get you free therapy, unless there is a free clinic nearby or a community mental health center which are commonly found throughout the states and usually have an affordable sliding scale charge.

I can, however, recommend two excellent books which can give you the wisdom of DID experts and excellent advice and direction for moving forward with living with your DID in a successful manner. They are:

The Sum of My Parts: A Survivor's Story of Dissociative Identity Disorder by Olga Trujillo

AND

Got Parts? An Insider's Guide to Managing Life Successfully with Dissociative Identity Disorder (New Horizons in Therapy) by A.T.W.


If you wish to get back to me with more information, please hit the reply button.

Do not hit the ratings of one or two stars as this puts negative feedback on my permanent record according to JustAnswer's new rating system (yes, even "helped a little" slams me). I am concerned with this new system because I do this for a living. Thank you so much.

I wish you the best in finding the relief and healing that you are seeking.

Warm regards,

Elliott Sewell, LPCC, NCC, CCMHC