Final answer:
Treatment guidelines for dissociative identity disorder focus on not playing favorites with any of the alters, helping clients foster a more positive self-view, and establishing a strong therapeutic alliance. These principles guide the approach to psychotherapy, the primary treatment for DID.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatment guidelines for dissociative identity disorder (DID) emphasize several important points, and among those, the following statements are true:
- Not playing favorites with any of the alters - It is vital for therapists to remain neutral and support all alters equally to avoid creating conflicts within the system and to encourage integration and cooperation.
- Helping clients see themselves and their worlds in a more favorable manner - Fostering a positive self-view can be crucial for recovery, as it can counter the negative self-perceptions that often accompany DID.
- Establishing and maintaining a strong therapeutic alliance - This is essential in DID treatment, as trust and a consistent relationship with a therapist can provide the stability needed for the individual to explore and integrate different aspects of their identity.
These elements are a cornerstone of psychotherapy, which is the main treatment approach for DID. Treatment modalities such as electroconvulsive therapy, deep-brain stimulation, and medication like monoamine oxidase inhibitors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are not commonly used in treating DID but may be considered for co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety.