Do people with DID always lose their memory when they "change"?

Question

i know, it's rare, and i might not a get a true answer! but I've also heard it's like watching yourself do something, or being on autopilot. is this true? also, do the personalities always communicate?

Answer 1

The definition of DID requires at least some form of memory loss or unawareness of other parts to qualify for that disorder, but dissociation is on a continuum with DID being at the highest level.  Dissociation in itself ranges from zoning out during a classroom lecture to blanking out at the point of a serious car accident (very common) to people with fully formed parts but they are aware to fully formed DID.

As therapy progresses for someone with DID the goal is co-consciousness (awareness of other parts when they are out) and internal cooperation.  Especially when people progress in therapy there is an awareness, but sometimes not control, as to what another part is doing.  Yes, it does feel weird.  When I zone out it does feel like I am on autopilot.  Sometimes I make it through an appointment and don't have a clue what happened...or the day.  In some ways I know it should be natural because I have dissociated since I was small, but new awareness causes new struggles.

Creating internal communication and cooperation is a new process and takes time.  Those are the basis for creating functioning and wholeness in whatever form the individual and their treatment team chooses.