Where to seek help

[QuietBird113]

QuietBird113 here.
To get to the point, I've been questioning whether I have dissociative identity disorder for maybe 3-4 years at this point (I want to say mid 2021), and I'm going to try my hand at seeking some help. I want to preface this by saying I know what the online community has been posting about DID in recent years, and I'm not experiencing some sensationalized online craze. I've had previous therapists write about myself "hearing voices", my family has noticed significant lapses in memory (forgetting entire vacations, years of my life, that sort of thing), and my partner can vouch for the whole "separate identities" thing. I did have a school counsellor confirm the DID, however, she had no background in mental health besides the basic counsellor training, and I don't want to take her word for it because it wasn't official.
In all honesty, it took me so long to seek help because I'm scared that I'll be told I don't have it, and I'll be left wondering what's wrong with me all over again, or worse, I'll be put in an institute. I'm also worried my already horrible amnesia may get worse, but I suppose getting help might support me first. I've been through some hard stuff in life as one could probably guess, and I would really appreciate if someone could recommend a place/person I could email or enquire about to hopefully, if nothing else, treat my symptoms of something undiagnosed but not quite right. 
I'm not looking for anyone on this forum to armchair diagnose or speculate on my symptoms, respectfully you don't know me or my history which is why I'm seeking help. I think I'm being pretty brave with all this and hope I'm going in the right direction. 

[tyme]

Hi @QuietBird113 ,

Welcome to the forums and reaching out to share. It certainly takes a lot of bravery to seek support. And yes, in a way, you are right about a diagnosis in that the forums cannot provide that clinical advice.

What we CAN do however, is share experiences so that members can connect with each other I know for certain that you are not alone in what you are experiencing. 

As you browse around on the forums, i look forward to reading others' experiences related to DID. I don't have any personal experience of DID, so I'd love to hear from others. 

Welcome!

[DogMan79]

Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists are generally more open to DID than psychiatrists

Various sites have "Find a psychologist" tools. Go to the tool, tick "Treats dissociative disorders"Pick from those clinicians

[Lapis_Anteater]

Hi @QuietBird113 

You are definitely brave for seeking help. It takes a lot of courage, but it is worth it. I’ve recently been diagnosed with mild DID after thinking about it with my psychiatrist for a year. It was a long process but having the diagnosis has really help my understanding of myself. I would suggest looking for a trauma informed therapist if you can and one that specialises in dissociative disorders as others have suggested. You are the expert on yourself so trust yourself and your experiences.   

[Spencer71]

QuietBird113, thank you for sharing all of this — it takes a huge amount of courage to put something so personal into words, especially after carrying these questions for years. What you’ve written shows a lot of insight and strength, and it’s clear you’ve been trying to understand your experiences in a really thoughtful, grounded way.
Everything you described — the fear of being dismissed, the worry about being misunderstood, and the hope for clarity — is completely valid. Wanting an accurate assessment from someone properly trained doesn’t mean you’re doubting yourself; it means you’re advocating for your own wellbeing, which is a really strong step forward.
You’re also not alone in feeling scared about seeking formal support. Many people who’ve lived through difficult experiences worry about being judged, misdiagnosed, or losing control. Those fears make sense, especially when dissociation and memory issues are part of your day-to-day. Reaching out anyway shows resilience.
If you’re looking for next steps, a trauma-informed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in dissociative disorders would be the right kind of professional. You don’t need a diagnosis to get help — you deserve support simply because what you’re experiencing is distressing and affecting your life.
A good trauma-informed provider will move at your pace, won’t force anything, and will focus on safety and stability first, not labels or institutions. Getting help isn’t about making anything worse — it’s about giving you a space where you feel understood and supported while you make sense of what’s happening.
You’re being incredibly brave, and the fact that you’re seeking clarity and care is a really hopeful sign. You absolutely deserve to feel supported, grounded, and safe as you move forward. 

[QuietBird113]

Edit:

Thank you to everyone who responded to me. It meant a lot for people to not only read my post but reply with such kind words and advice. 
Soon I’ll be seeking a referral to someone with trauma or dissociative disorders. I’m still anxious about it, getting diagnosed might affect my job outlook, but I’m hoping i can still do what i love when i can. It’s the first big step into something that’ll make my life a lot easier to live.

 Thank you all again, it means the world 🙂