DID/DDNOS help from NHS?

[earthbound_misfit]

Hiya, I'm trying to get help for a friend. He displays symptoms such as having different 'worlds' in his head and different personalities including a 7 year old child that appear when he's stressed/low. He also finds himself in places with no idea how he got there, hides/buries possessions and can't remember where, etc.
There is no known severe trauma before the age of 5 which is required for diagnosis, though he would have had a very rocky home life before that age (mentally ill mother, cheating father/parents split up, lots of arguing and possibly unintentional neglect). Not sure if that would count as trauma in their ridiculously narrow definition though. Anyway I'm worried he will not be taken seriously if he doesn't quite fit a DID diagnosis, though as far as I can see he'd come under DDNOS (Dissociative Disorder not Otherwise Specified).

I understand that I'm not qaulified to diagnose etc, just wanted to outline situation/give as much info. as possible in case that helps!
Anyway I've been googling and it turns out there are no NICE guidelines for treating these issues, absolutely no information on the NHS website (not even for 'dissociation'!) and a huge amount of stuff saying sufferers are ignored, left untreated, diagnosed BPD instead, and that it's a diagnosis many MH people think doesn't really exist.

I am livid, and terrified of how to support my friend as neither of us can afford private therapy. Does anyone know anything about NHS treatment of this disorder, or guidelines I could refer to when approaching services?
Also, it seems they are dismissing my concerns as it's apparently "well known" that I suffer from a personality disorder... it says that in HIS notes! And not mine, as they had to remove it due to it being untrue!
We are both feeling pretty desperate now, both tempted to end this all together... sorry.

[[Awakening]]

Hi there,

Remy Aquarone at the Pottergate Centre gives good advice about DID and DDNOS. He is happy to email and assess screening questionnaires for DID and he is able to give good advice on the best way to gain support through the NHS.

Hope this helps. Keep trying!

Also PODS Website has lots of excellent resources - the couple who run the site have personal experience of DID for the past several years, however they don't have any personal experience of recovery through the NHS as they went through a private therapist right from the beginning - this appears to be the best option if you can afford it! Otherwise it's a case of fighting with the NHS and looking for charities or cheap counselling services that have experiences of treating dissociation.

Another first route is to take DBT if it's offered in your area, as it's basically about reducing self harm and impulsive behaviour - which is the first stage of treating DID anyway.

[Wonderland.]

I was going to suggest PODS too but Jocelyn has beaten me to it.

I have been assessed for DID by the Personality Disorder Specialist in my area, so I presume there is one in every area.

[earthbound_misfit]

Thanks for the replies - am looking into the options. Unfortunately we are both really living on a minimal amount although hoping he gets DLA (appeal in progress) which he could use to pay for therapy.
The Pottergate centre looks promising.

My friend doesn't self harm, except one incident that was sort of unintentional, as it happened when dissociated and with visual hallucinations and harming himself was not his intent. He certainly doesn't self-harm purposely to reduce feelings of distress or anything. He also doesn't act impulsivley. The most impulsive thing he does is wander off suddenly when his mental state 'switches' and a certain 'other'/personality takes over. But it's sort of pre-meditated within that 'other', if that makes sense! The different parts don't communicate with each other either.
So I am very surprised to hear that DBT is the first step.

[Taraxacum]

Has your friend had any interaction with MH services previously?

[earthbound_misfit]

Well he's been assessed, and they recorded a lot of the disturbing symptoms, though there were a lot of innacuracies. But there was enough to see the urgent need for intervention I'd have thought! The psychiatrist actually said (ditto psychologist) that he was suffering the effects of trauma rather than psychosis so wouldn't benefit from meds. He's happy with this and tbh so am I. But I can't understand why they won't offer therapy despite it being majorly indicated (my friend deffo has the right 'mindset' for therapy as we often chat reflectively about his life etc.) they won't even offer a CPN or other support. And as I mentioned, the crisis team won't assess him as they say he doesn't need help and they assessed him in January! There was a weird incident where he was sectioned then unsectioned when they couldn't find a bed... obviously it's not in his notes but the police have a record I think, so might try and complain/name/shame them as that's very dodgy procedure!!
His Drs worried and being really helpful but the referrals are falling on deaf ears. He's not had any interaction with services before about a year ago when all this came out/got much worse and we have been trying to get him help since then.