title: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) in clinical practice - what you don't see may hurt you.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify problems that interfere with the recognition, diagnosis and management of people with dissociative identity disorder (DID) presenting to psychiatric outpatient and inpatient services and suggest solutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Problems and suggested solutions associated with clinical presentations and management of people with DID are outlined with references to relevant literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Problems in the recognition and management of DID are described. These lead to delays in diagnosis and costly, inappropriate management, destructive to services, staff and patients alike. Problems include lack of understanding and experience and scepticism about the disorder, resulting in failure to provide appropriate treatment.Some suggestions to improve recognition and management are included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better recognition, diagnosis and management of DID will lead to better and more cost effective outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Albert Road Clinic, Melbourne, VIC, Australia davepleo@yahoo.com.au.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Albert Road Clinic, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tiller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019468:Disease Management; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology
keywords: dissociative identity disorder; management; recognition