A physician’s story of dissociative identity disorder

4:36 PM

Dr. Shelley Kolton was a physician, author, and mental health advocate who openly shared her experiences of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in her book "Multiple Identities: A Memoir of Trauma, Motherhood, and Mental Illness," published in 2022. Her story is a powerful account of resilience, healing, and the complexities of navigating professional and personal life while living with DID. She passed away in 2022, leaving a legacy of advocacy and inspiration for trauma survivors and the DID community.

Key Points About Shelley Kolton, MD, and Her DID:

Professional Life:
- Dr. Kolton was a prominent obstetrician and gynecologist based in New York City. She was one of the founders of the first all-female OB/GYN practice in the city, breaking barriers in the medical field.
- Despite her professional success, she lived with DID, which she publicly revealed later in life to advocate for awareness and understanding of trauma-related disorders.
Trauma and DID:
- In her memoir, Dr. Kolton described how her DID developed as a response to severe childhood trauma, including sexual abuse by her father. The dissociation and creation of alternate identities allowed her to survive and cope with the unbearable pain.
- She candidly shared the difficulties of living with fragmented identities, memory gaps, and the emotional toll of facing her traumatic past.
Personal and Family Life:
- Dr. Kolton was a mother, and her experiences as both a parent and a trauma survivor are central themes in her memoir. She explored the challenges of balancing motherhood with the complexities of her mental health, including moments of fear about how her DID might impact her children.
- Her memoir delves deeply into her journey of self-discovery, healing, and fostering relationships despite her struggles.
Therapeutic Journey:
- Dr. Kolton detailed her path to understanding and managing her DID through years of intensive therapy. She worked to integrate or cooperate with her alters, learning to navigate their roles and the protective functions they served.
- Her therapeutic journey also involved confronting her traumatic memories and working toward self-acceptance and healing.
Advocacy and Awareness:
- By sharing her story, Dr. Kolton sought to reduce the stigma surrounding DID and trauma-related disorders. She emphasized that DID is a natural response to severe trauma, not a sign of weakness or failure.
- Her memoir aimed to educate the public about the realities of living with DID, countering sensationalized portrayals in media.
Memoir: Multiple Identities:
- In "Multiple Identities," Dr. Kolton provided an unflinching look at her life, blending personal narrative with broader insights into mental health and trauma. The book has been praised for its honesty, courage, and the way it humanizes a condition often misunderstood or stigmatized.
- She used her medical background to help explain the science behind dissociation, making her memoir both deeply personal and educational.
Legacy:
- Dr. Kolton passed away in 2022, but her work and advocacy continue to resonate within the trauma and mental health communities.
- Her story remains an inspiration for others living with DID or complex trauma, showing that healing is possible and that a fulfilling life can be achieved despite significant challenges.

Impact:

Dr. Shelley Kolton’s openness about her experiences with DID has had a lasting impact on raising awareness, promoting empathy, and encouraging trauma survivors to seek understanding and support. Her memoir stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of sharing one’s truth to inspire others.