Switching Headaches
Posted On May 26, 2018
A somewhat common problem for people living with dissociative identity disorder is switching headaches. While they do not occur in everyone who lives with DID, they are a painful reminder to many that they are burdened with the disorder.
I am going to write this piece about my own experiences with these often-debilitating apparitions.
Even though I have been in therapy for thirty years now, if I come under enough stress I will switch alters. I am co-conscious with my others, so I am aware of what is being said and done, but just barely. To be clear, it takes an enormous amount of internal or external stress to cause me fall back on the default behavior of switching.
Believe it or not, these switching headaches have an official name. Transitional Interpersonality Thunderclap Headaches (TITH). There is no known understanding of how or why these painful migraines occur. The research I read stated that after a thorough neurological examination during the time a TITH was happening showed no irregularities whatsoever leaving the researchers scratching their heads.
When I was growing up, I was sent to several neurologists because of the blinding headaches I experienced every day, often several times a day. I would be fine one moment, then have the sudden onset of a terrible migraine that could last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. They did several batteries of tests, including a particularly nasty one called a pneumoencephalogram, sure they would find a lesion or tumor, but they found nothing.
At one point they even decided I was faking the headaches to gain attention, but that was soon laid to rest. They placed me in the hospital and observed me closely, careful not to let me know they were doing so. When one of these horrifically painful events occurred, I was alone and did not look for someone to help me. They saw me change moods suddenly, then grab my head and rock, apparently in agony.
Looking back, I know what was happening. I was switching a lot back then. The trauma was ongoing that caused DID to develop in my mind, and the switching was very intense. The doctors in the 1960s were unaware of the trauma I was living in and had little to no knowledge of dissociative identity disorder. Even less than many doctors know today.
Recently, I was having a crisis of significant proportions. I immediately began to experience severe headaches that nothing would help. They were worse than migraines, (if that is possible), and I was more miserable than I had been with just the crisis.
The only way I could resolve both problems was by seeing my therapist and pouring out to her all I was feeling. While speaking to her my head was throbbing, and I felt myself switching moods rapidly, but I kept on talking and cursing.
After raving for forty-five minutes, I felt much, much better.
I took a deep breath and looked at my therapist who was sitting quietly nearby clearly stunned by what she had just witnessed. I smiled sheepishly and said,
“Well, now I think you’ve met just about the whole gang.”
Her response was priceless. She sat back, smiled and said, “So I have.”
Now, I realize that pouring out one’s guts to a therapist may not be the answer for every circumstance nor is it for everyone. I only know that venting that day released an enormous amount of pressure off my mind, and I am again able to function.
The main point of this post is to say that migraines caused by switching, especially rapid switching, is not abnormal and should not cause you to fear. Yes, please, have yourself thoroughly examined by your doctor, but don’t be surprised if they find nothing physically wrong.
Switching headaches, I could sure live without them.
“I wear my personality on my sleeve, for sure, and my look is constantly changing because so am I.” Halsey
15 Comments
I’m a psychology major who has DID, and I have had so many x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs with no results. Your blog helps me so much. I knew the headaches were from DID, but I appreciate this new information. Just one question, though. Is there a warning sign I should look for? I was diagnosed about eight years ago, but I’m still learning. Thanks!
I don’t know of any sign except switching really fast or several times in a day. I’m so glad my blog helped you! Shirley
I just had a pretty nasty one lasting a few hours and after it finally passed I looked into what causes them. after searching “dissociative identity disorder headaches” (I know they are related but wanted to know if there was anything found after imaging) I didn’t find any answers but I did find this page. thank you for sharing your story, it really hit home.
I’ve struggled with migraines since I was a kid. no amount of medication seems to help and after therapy and diagnosis I’ve found them to go hand in hand with DID. I had no clue there was a medical term for it!
mine usually feel like a huge pressure on the inside of my skull like there are two brains fighting for room. I wonder if there’s a reason why people feel different sensations when getting these headaches, especially if it is purely psychosomatic.
thanks again ÷)
Thank you for this post. I have these back-to-back on a regular basis since having anxiety and a laundry list of other stuff only add to my stress. Ahhh the joy of cycling and talking to Drs who swear we’re just making it up (sarcasm intended). I found your article while yet again considering therapy even though the last ones were horrible experiences yet trying to be hopeful for finding someone experienced with what I call my MEs or some kind of support group for us. However, I only find my people yall on blogs detailing our everyday effects and show most of the time we still have humor. Thanks for the name of these headaches that’s really one of the main things that tells me I’ve switched and another reason why I’m thinking I just need to stay in the house to avoid other people noticing I’m beyond bothered or just people period. It’s just frustrating and I feel like I’m at a standstill with knowing we need help and not wanting to feel exposed or looked down on. It’s just a bonus that the meds I’ve been put on to try and reduce my anxiety to slow down switching does absolutely nothing but give dry mouth. Arrggh anyway gonna save your article because I’m happy to know in this world with my MEs we’re not alone per se and ppl like yall actually get it.
I do get it. Switching headaches are miserable, and that misery is made worse by the knowledge that there is no one treatment that will cure them. Emotional dysregulation also goes along with DID. Keep reading my blog because I speak frankly and openly about different aspects of DID and the complex trauma that caused it. Shirley
I’m part of an OSDD-1b system and it seems to be the same. Is there any way to relieve these headaches at all? If there’s any medicine we can take I’d appreciate if you’d tell me. Keep in mind the body is 15 however. Some of my friends who are systems are also experiencing this and I know that it’s really debilitating at times. Thank you. – Cassidy
There is not much you can do. I don’t know why they occur but please make sure to get checked out by a doctor to make sure they are nothing else. That’s always great advice. I take medicine for mine that takes the edge off if they become a migraine so talking to your doctor makes sense. Shirley
I’ll speak with our doctor, thank you for this! I didn’t know OSDD or DID could cause migraines. I’ve thought about it the past few days and I have noticed the pattern of head aches after frequent switches. Good to know! – William
This post, and this site helped me alot today. I’ve been dealing with DID for a long time, therapy hasn’t always worked out well for me, but learning from the perspective of someone experiencing the same thing sure helped alot today. I had no idea what was happening, I’d never had this problem when switching before today, but today I had what felt like a wildfire in the left hemisphere of my brain. I legitimately thought I was having a stroke or brain aneurysm until I found this site and some of the other sites about this. Thank you so much.
I’m glad I could help but please see a doctor if your sharp headache continues. Switching headaches come and go and are usually not the type of pain you feel in a migraine. Shirley
This has just cracked a code for me. Recently, I have been reflecting on my thunderclap headache that sent me to the ER and have had a relationship with several types of headaches since I was a child. of course doctors never have answers, So I’m always piecing things together myself. I was wondering if it had a spiritual basis, as I have been having alot of spiritual experiences too.. I thought maybe crown chakra movement. I also relate to DID, and just learned there is a correlation today. I have been working on grounding myself to combat my dissociation problem, so i will be making myself aware with my headaches too. Thank you! Thank you!
I’m glad I could help. Shirley
Comment I have been experiencing the same thing and just now was thinking what you all have said. Thanks for posting
I get them too. Not as severely as you but still very painful. I find mine usually originated behind my left eye and most often occur when we have done a lot of switching. Thank you for sharing.
I know right? They do seem to begin behind an eye. I have to wonder what brain structures are causing them or if it is some kind of tension headache. Hmm. Thanks for commenting and for reading my blog! Shirley