Dissociative Identity Disorder: Fearfully And Wonderfully Made (2)
Dissociative Identity Disorder: Fearfully And Wonderfully Made (2)
Psalm 139: 13 – 18
“Where is Jane, Joan?” I asked. My mind boggled as I tried to frame the two personas within the same person; asking myself, is this for real?
“She is here, but she cannot hear us,” Joan replied.
“Oh! But can you hear Jane when she talks to me?” seemed a natural follow through.
“Yes. I can hear everything she tells you in this office and your replies.”
Intrigued and needing time to process and understand what had been going on in the last thirty minutes, I thanked Joan for her co-operation and reassured her that I would like to talk to her again in the future. Then, I requested that I speak to Jane again. It took about ten seconds before Jane opened her eyes. She sat up, looked around her, and blinked several times, looking rather dizzy and unsure of herself. I helped her off the floor and back to her chair, and gave her some time to compose herself. My mind was running ahead of me, organizing a load of questions. When Jane assured me she was feeling better, I asked, “Jane, you looked rather dizzy and confused earlier, what was actually happening?”
“I sort of blacked-out. When I awoke, I felt giddy and am having a bad headache now, but I am alright,” Jane replied.
I was deeply thankful that she felt OK and seemed normal, although what had happened was not normal at all – not in my experience. “OK. Can you recall what took place in the last half hour when you were on the floor?” I impatiently chipped in.
“I cannot remember anything,” she said with a confused look.
This confirmed Joan’s perception. I then debriefed her what had transpired in my conversation with Joan. She listened intently and seemed to take it all in her stride and did not seem surprised. “Is all this information new to you?” I asked.
“Yes and no! Joan talks to me, but I did not know her name,” she replied.
“Did you know Joan as a friend in your childhood days?”
“No. I do not know where she comes from, but she talks to me all the time.”
“What does she talk to you about?” I probed.
“She reassures me when I am confused or uncertain about some issues. We discuss them together sometimes.”
“How do you discuss them? I mean how do you talk to her?”
“I hear her in my mind and I would think something back to her, and I hear her replies.”
“Oh, I see! So it is all in your head. Like another voice that does not sound like your own talking to you? No verbal exchange?”
“Yes, like another voice talking to me. No verbal exchange.”
Does Joan ever say anything blasphemous or speak out against God?” I enquired curiously, and attempting to discern whether there is a demonic connection on Joan’s part.
“No. She is always very gentle with me when she talks to me.”
“Jane, how long have you been talking with Joan?”
“I cannot remember exactly, but for a very long time. Why are you asking me these questions? Does it not happen to everyone? Is this not normal?”
“Jane, I am not certain yet what actually is happening to you, and why Joan is talking to you, but once I am clearer, I will help you understand. Is that alright for you?”
“OK,” she replied.
“I have one more question Jane. What were you thinking about just before you passed out this morning here?”
“Just now, I felt someone was coming and wanted to talk to you, so I passed out. And my son called me last night from the U.S., and said that I should trust you and tell you everything, and not keep back anything, because you are a qualified counselor and can help me.”
“I am glad Albert spoke with you last night and you decided to heed his advice. We will work together and get to the bottom of your problems in time to come. Is that OK with you?”
“OK.”
I was astounded that she would trust me implicitly just on the counsel of her son during her second session with me, although I had not the faintest idea what was actually happening to her. We made another appointment that same week as I felt there was some catching-up to do while she has been so co-operative and open. I saw Jane and Thomas twice a week for the next three months. The sessions were conducted individually, first with Jane, followed by 30 minutes with Thomas.
