Guide To The Symptoms Of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Anxiety And Panic Attacks

Dissociation is a maladaptive way of coping with anxiety. Dissociative identity disorder is more complex than an average anxiety disorder, and treatment also typically needs to be more complex. However, anxiety, panic attacks, and dissociation go hand-in-hand. When a patient dissociates, whether they are letting a new alter take over or simply ceasing to keep contact with the world, they are trying to escape a situation causing extreme stress or pain.

This disorder develops when children dissociate to escape serious trauma, often compartmentalizing their senses of self to survive. When individuals with this disorder encounter situations that make them anxious, they may dissociate. However, they may also have typical symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Panic attacks look a lot like a heart attack, with a racing heart and squeezing feeling in the chest. They pass within ten minutes. General anxiety can last longer and may include sweating, nausea, elevated heart rate, and shallow breathing.

Keep reading to learn more about the warning signs of dissociative identity disorder now.