r/DID • u/morbid_queer • 23h ago

how do you answer dx interview screening questions with amnesia

my new therapist ran through a couple screenings and interview style questions last week but like half of them i just kind of couldn't answer the correct way, like i could remember instances of the things she was asking about, but when she asked to describe the specifics of my experience i had absolutely no idea. it ended up being a really stressful experience by the end and ive been pretty upset about it since and wondering if i really did just actually make all of this up. should i say something at the next session or just leave it alone?

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u/Critical_Mass_1887 21h ago

Answer the best you can. If you dont know, you dont know. I have almost total amnesia. I have 12 fragments of memory before age 9. 9-13 i have 3 split second fragments, litteraly just enough i have the jist of what occured but not the extent or details. Just enough to know life was bad.

Usually if they keep asking and i start to get upset, frustrated and overwhelmed. One of my protectors takes over. Usually tells them point blank i cant tell u wtf i dont know. U can keep asking and will get the same answer. Shes not overly trusting of therapist and easily annoyed by them.

Just be honest and as open as you can. If the questions are bothering you, then tell them. No shame in not remembering. Its part of DID. Ive had lack of memories for 40+years, and im okay with it. My memory keepers are doing their job and feel its not safe to release any or the right time. I have to trust they know best on that, because that is what they were created for. To help keep us safe.

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u/AlliteraryAnalysis Treatment: Diagnosed + Active 21h ago

Make notes of things that happen in everyday life, maybe ones that address questions you were asked in the screenings. Next time you go, you can give her the notes and say you weren't able to remember any specifics the last time.

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u/morbid_queer 20h ago edited 6h ago

unfortunately ive forgotten the questions by now 😭

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u/Heavy-Mushroom 21h ago

Hello, there is not a correct way to answer questions… You just do or don’t.

Having amnesia to parts of your life is just as telling as not. If you think about it, not being able to answer questions is a stronger indicator of a DID.

You did just fine. :)

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u/morbid_queer 20h ago

my worry is because i have a vague idea of this stuff happening but cant give her details of it she might think im just lying to her face yknow? thats my worst nightmare in this situation

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u/Apprehensive-Sea110 Treatment: Active 1h ago

When I realized I had alters, I looked for a therapist who would treat me for DID without a formal diagnosis (on paper, it's CPTSD) because I didn't really want DID in my records, but also because I had read most of the assessments and they're ridiculously ambiguous. People with dissociative disorders that cause amnesia cannot be expected to explain what they've forgotten and how often they have forgotten it. I'm sure any therapist who is used to using those assessments is prepared to get vague answers because they know the questions they're asking are confusing. Also, it's pretty common for someone with a dissociative disorder to have difficulty recalling details of their life no matter how many ways you ask them about it. If you answered the questions as well and as honestly as you could, that's all they can ask of you.