Managing Multiple Personalities in Recovery
Jan 13, 09- (by Blackout Girl)
- 3 responses
- Pros and Pro's, Reviews, Sober Salon, Uncategorized
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I recently watched the pilot episode of United States of Tara a new Showtime Original by Diablo Cody. It is about a housewife with multiple personality disorder and in true Cody style is written to perfection. Cody just has a way of taking dialogue to a level that is beyond my wildest expectations. I really think she is one of the best writers of our time. I love everything that comes out of her brilliantly defiant mind. Check the show out you will not be sorry.
Watching the show reminded me of a sponsee I once had who had multiple personality disorder and I can tell you Cody captures the transitions and oddities perfectly. My sponsee had five personalities that I knew of and only three of them wanted to be sober so you can understand my challenge. It was a very frustrating process to try and help her while being recovery blocked by two of her alters all the time. She was a gay woman however, one of her alters was a straight booze loving sex machine who I would often discover was out at the bar the night before and would wake up with a strange man in her bed. This obviously was agonizing for the others who were gay. It was such a complex issue to try and navigate. The primary personality was such a beautiful spirit that I wanted to do everything I could to help her. It was hard and frustrating at times. Just when I thought we would make progress, one of the alters would come out and set us back ten paces.
I eventually lost track of her/them as time went on. I tried everything I could to help but it she took off which apparently was a trend for her—mainly I think because of the disorder, she just travels from place to place until she or they felt they have worn out their welcome in any particular area. It was a wild experience and watching United State of Tara last night brought it all up for me again. I wonder where she is now…if she is okay and sober. I have just turned her over to my higher power.
I highly recommend the show…I think it is going to rock the Emmy’s and Golden Globes next year with multiple nominations!!!
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I met a recovering friend not too long ago who is also diagnosed with “D.I.D.”, as they call ti now. I find it fascinating, and I’m glad he lets me ask lots of questions, but I imagine it must be terribly frustrating, as you said. My understanding is that it’s a response to experiences too big for the (main) person to handle, and the Others came as a coping mechanism.
Wow. Just Wow. Sounds almost like a character Cody herself would create. But I understand that in truth, there are many who suffer from this disorder.
good to see you post!
hi, i am a multiple and my life is a frustrating struggle. there are some days i do ok. it is hard to live in a world that has so many triggers. i feel very alone because it is so rare. i would give any thing to have some one say i know exactly what you are going thru because i have the same thing.