Customer Reviews

Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been treating MPD for over a decade, but this book has the best in the field giving us their decades of experience. It really helped me to get current, and improved my clinical practice. I copy Dr. Spira's introductory chapter to give to my patients. I have the hardback, which is no longer available, but the paperback is cheaper anyway.

This is the best book to date on the subject of DID/MPD. The authors are the leaders in the field, and they offer concise and detailed information about how to treat patients with multiple personalities in in-patient and out-patient settings. Dr. Spira's introductory chapter is especially helpful and offers a good context for the chapters that follow. There are chapters on psychological assessment, the develop of DID, treatments from a variety of perspectives, and even a chapter of psychotropic medications! This is a great book for anyone who has ever treated someone with MPD, or who want to better understand dissociative disorders.

Written in 1996, I expected this book to be lacking much of the up-to-date information, but I was pleasantly surprised. Enough to probably say this is my new favorite on the subject of DID. The look of the book led me to think it was going to be a book only for professionals but again I was pleased with the easy to read text and format. I always get excited with the first chapter of a book since I enjoy reading about exactly what DID is, but this book went farther taking me to explanations that made sense on treating DID.

In the introduction the author got my attention quickly with his understanding of inner communication and interpersonal relationships. I was really captivated by his information on the "unconscious" alter. I believe this is the same as others call the ISH, manager, etc... His tips on dealing with those inside are invaluable.

After this wonderful introduction he goes on to discuss "Models of Treatment" which of course addresses testing and diagnosing DID. The discussion on how early life experiences shape the brain is fascinating. The author goes into detail about and why the child does not tell of the abuse or does not even remember it. Meds are discussed, as well as early child-hood onset of DID. Many types of therapy are examined in the book.

Chapter 7 gets to the good stuff: The Use of Hypnosis in Diagnosis and Treatment. Using it to map the system, facilitate communication, etc... The final sections talk about in-patient work.

This text discussed the complicated subject of dissociative identity disorder without getting readers lost in a muddle of technical mumbo jumbo. I found it to be a fascinating read taking me through a history of trauma research and other information on the subject at hand. I will have to look for other books written by the two men who put this book out.

I bought this book thinking more along the lines if "Self Help". I got 1/2 way through and gave it to my Doctor. It was very text book and rather clinical for my abilities but I would suggest that if you are helping a patient with DID this is a good source for referance.

I have an extensive collection of DID treatment books. This one did not especially stand out, but I like to be well read.