It took years for Maggie Walters to be diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. For many like her, the journey is marked by financial hardship and stigma, but Maggie hopes her story shows happiness is possible.
In Maggie Walters ' mind, trauma looks like an old cottage in a field of yellow daisies.But far in the distance, a little girl sits by herself."I just know that she doesn't talk and the best place for her to live is to just play with the bees and butterflies and smell the flowers.This imagined cottage is home to about 40 identities Maggie calls her "Girls""I have people inside my brain that share my brain," Maggie said.
DID is a complex, post-traumatic developmental disorder caused by chronic sexual or physical abuse of a young child, often by their parent or trusted caregiver. Professor Warwick Middleton is the director of the Trauma and Dissociation Unit at Brisbane's Belmont Private Hospital and is a past president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
"There are gaps in their memory, they may have different handwriting, they find that they bought things they don't remember buying, they've turned up at places and don't remember how they got there."Limited, community-based US studies indicate around 1 per cent of the population meets the DID diagnostic criteria, but that it can be misdiagnosed as borderline personality disorder or schizophrenia.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the federal government had funded 61 mental health centres with free access to psychiatrists as part of a $361 million program.Dr Middleton said many people with DID get "bounced around the mental healthcare system for years with no great outcome". "Hardcore anxiety — I get shingles down the right side of my body, my jaw starts clenching — if those things start happening it means I'm ignoring the Girls and there's something they need to talk about.Mental health in your inbox
Did Dissociative Identity Disorder Multiple Personality Disorder Maggie Walters Treatment Signs Symptoms Therapy
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Broncos’ Walsh to take ‘chill pill’, Gosiewski debutsBrisbane coach Kevin Walters has told fullback Reece Walsh not to overplay his hand too early in the away clash with Parramatta.
Read more »
Recovering Reynolds takes on key new role for BroncosExpected to miss playing for three months, Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds turns his attention to helping coach Kevin Walters plot a winning path.
Read more »
Why ‘special’ Broncos moment proves life after Reynolds might not be so badNRL: Brisbane Broncos Kevin Walters speaks to the media after their magic round win against the Sea Eagles.
Read more »
BREAKING: Panthers star arrested after alleged domestic violence incidentNRL: Brisbane Broncos Kevin Walters speaks to the media after their magic round win against the Sea Eagles.
Read more »
‘Softest penalty ever’: Seibold fumes at Manly’s brutal match deciding penaltyNRL: Brisbane Broncos Kevin Walters speaks to the media after their magic round win against the Sea Eagles.
Read more »
NRL live updates: Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans, New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins — blog, scores and statsReece Walsh and Billy Walters are back for the Broncos, who face the Gold Coast Titans in the Queensland derby. Follow live.
Read more »