An Exploratory Study of the Management of Dissociate Identity Disorder in Australia

This exploratory study examines how current management of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is implemented across Australia both in the private and public sector and whether there are any gaps in the management of DID in Australia. Using a qualitative approach, professionals were given the opportunity to respond to these important questions, resulting in large gaps acknowledged in the management of DID. These gaps were in areas such as organisational support, training and research, and a lack of acknowledgement and diagnosis of DID. An autoethnographical approach was used to present the researcher’s lived professional experience relating to the research topic. This study subsequently identified that therapeutic treatment of patients varied considerably and was informed by the management style and environment of the professional, and whether they worked in the private or public
health sector.

Analysis shed light on the differences between the public and private sectors regarding the way professionals have access to current training concerning DID and proactive treatment for their patients. This brings to the fore one of the main reoccurring results of this study: that some professionals refuse to acknowledge DID and diagnose it, whilst others embrace it in order to treat their patients effectively. Overall, this study demonstrates a reluctance by some professionals to acknowledge and diagnose DID. These findings have implications for further research, training and improved management of DID.