“The Seven Steps”
(of healing from MPD/DID)
Step One
the “I’m going crazy” partStep Two
the “You’re going crazy” partStep Three
the “We’re going crazy” partStep Four
the “We’re going crazy all the time” partStep Five
the”Let me help you not to go crazy” partStep Six
the “I’m not going as crazy as often” partStep Seven
the “I remember when I used to go crazy” partUsually the healing process goes something like this:
Step One: the “I’m going crazy part” Perhaps for years the individual has experienced unusual, unexplainable events: loss of time, two different sets of clothing in the closet, people whom she does not know seeming to know her, being told she said (or did) this or that without any memory herself of having said or done it, etc.
Step Two: the “You’re going crazy” part When MPD is first suggested as a possible cause for these strange events, the person usually has a hard time believing that this is true. This difficulty in accepting MPD will likely remain — at times stronger than other times — right up until the healing process is completed. This is partially due to the fact that the amnesia about the abuse serves to keep the lie in place: “This didn’t happen to me.” [Just affirm: “I choose to believe the truth about the past”.]
Step Three: the “we’re going crazy” part In most cases at the beginning of the healing process, the core person doesn’t realize when another personality “takes over” and begins talking. (This is not true in every case of those with MPD.) But as the healing progresses, there is a sensation similar to dreaming where the core person may hear or vaguely be aware of what another personality is saying (either within their mind or audibly).
Step Four: the “we’re going crazy all the time” part Usually during some part of the healing process, the person may become triggered (and switch to another personality) so often that one personality after another comes “to the top” (as I call it).As the Lord begins to allow the memories to surface, the emotional pain the different personalities hold is expressed, causing lots of emotional upheaval.
Step Five: the “let me help you not go crazy” part There may come a point in her healing that the person can take on a new role in helping those personalities inside her. If, for example, she realizes that she is suddenly feeling terrified inside, she may be able to ask those inside what the problem is: “Why are we afraid?” Sometimes those inside will cooperate by indicating the cause of the terror. The core person can then speak truth to the situation and may not only find relief from the terror but may also experience spontaneous merging (integration).
For example, if someone inside says, “I’m scared he’s going to kill me,” the person could ask, “Who’s going to kill you?” The answer: “My father.” The truth that can be expressed is, “Our father is dead now and he can’t hurt us anymore. Why don’t you ask the Lord Jesus what the truth about this is?”
Step Six: the “I’m not going as crazy as often” part: Less triggers; suicide example: as intense, but more space in between
Step Seven: the “I remember when I used to go crazy” part
Continued emotional healing, growth. Place of stability, spiritual freedom
Q = which of the steps do you see yourself in at the present time?
Q = what has been the main obstacles to your healing so far?
How to encourage those at the different
stages of healing from DID/SRA
Stage One:
Don’t be scared of me.
Don’t try to get me to remember a recent event I may have no conscious memory of.
Remind me that I’m not going crazy.
Tell me you believe me.
Stage Two:
When the anguish comes: “Did these horrible things really happen to me?” remind me to affirm: “I choose to believe whatever is true about my past.”
Remind me that I’m not going crazy.
Tell me you believe me.
Stage Three:
Don’t tell me everything another “part” of me did or said to you unless I want to know.
Remind me that I’m not going crazy.
Tell me you believe me.
Stage Four:
Don’t believe the lie that my “parts” are merely demons that need to be cast out.
Just be with me during the very hardest time.
Don’t be afraid of me.
Remind me that it won’t always be this bad
Don’t treat me like a space alien after a bad episode.
Remind me that I’m not going crazy.
Tell me you believe me.
Stage Five:
Teach me how to work with myself.
When I’m triggered, don’t try to get me to think rationally. Instead, lead me to the truth about what I am believing at the time.
Remember that I am reacting on two levels. Don’t take what I say or do personally.
Remind me that I’m not going crazy.
Tell me you believe me.
Stage Six:
When my progress forward seems to take a dip remind me that it’s not the same as it used to be.
Point to the amount of time between my bad episodes.
Don’t be afraid to let me use my spiritual gifts to minister in appropriate situations.
Remind me that I’m not going crazy.
Tell me you believe me.
Stage Seven:
Leave the door open for me to come to you occasionally when I may need a “mini-tune-up”
or a word of encouragement.
