‘Many Sides Of Jane’ Mother Sheds Light On Dissociative Identity Disorder | TODAY

Summary

Jane Hart, a single mother of two, shares her journey with Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.) in the A&E docuseries 'Many Sides of Jane.' Diagnosed three years ago, she navigates life with at least nine distinct identities, ranging from 6 to 28 years old, often triggered by stress. The series explores the impact of D.I.D. on her parenting, relationships, and daily life, as well as the misconceptions and stigma associated with the condition. Hart's story aims to raise awareness and understanding of D.I.D., showing her resilience and the protective role of her 'parts.'

Takeaways

• 📢 Jane Hart is a young single mother with dissociative identity disorder (D.I.D.), going public to raise awareness about her condition.
• 🏥 Jane was diagnosed with D.I.D. three years ago, having lived with the disorder for much of her life without a formal diagnosis.
• 👥 She has at least nine different identities or 'parts', ranging in age from 6 to 28, which can appear at any time, often triggered by stress.
• 🎥 A&E Network's docuseries 'Many Sides of Jane' captures her daily life and experiences with D.I.D.
• 🤔 Common misconceptions about D.I.D. include the assumption that individuals with the disorder are dangerous.
• 🧠 D.I.D. is considered rare, affecting about 1% of the population, and is often linked to severe trauma during childhood.
• 🛡️ Jane's 'parts' were created to protect her from trauma, each serving a purpose in helping her cope with life.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Despite the challenges, Jane is a dedicated mother, ensuring her children are always taken care of by her various 'parts'.
• 💞 Jane's condition impacts her relationships, including dating, as some of her identities have different sexual orientations.
• 📝 Jane uses intensive therapy, journaling, and creative outlets like making collages to manage her D.I.D.
• 🌟 She is committed to being 100% real in the docuseries to help break the stigma and educate others about D.I.D.

Q & A

What is the name of the young mother who is going public about her condition?

The young mother's name is Jane Hart.

What medical condition was Jane Hart diagnosed with?

Jane Hart was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.).

What is the purpose of the docuseries 'Many Sides of Jane'?

The docuseries 'Many Sides of Jane' aims to follow the daily life of Jane Hart and raise awareness about D.I.D.

How many different identities or 'parts' does Jane Hart have?

Jane Hart has at least nine different identities or 'parts'.

What is the age range of Jane Hart's different identities?

The identities of Jane Hart range from 6 to 28 years old.

What is the typical trigger for Jane Hart's identities to appear?

Stress is typically the trigger for Jane Hart's identities to appear.

What is the estimated prevalence of D.I.D. in the population according to some studies?

Some studies estimate that D.I.D. is found in about 1% of the population.

What is often the cause of D.I.D. according to experts?

Experts say that D.I.D. is often caused by severe trauma during childhood.

How does Jane Hart explain D.I.D. to her children?

Jane Hart explains to her children that she has a unique brain that is wired a little bit differently than others.

What is the most hurtful stigma associated with D.I.D. according to Jane Hart?

The most hurtful stigma associated with D.I.D. for Jane Hart is the assumption that she is not a good parent or can't handle parenting.

What is one of the coping mechanisms Jane Hart uses to deal with D.I.D.?

One of the coping mechanisms Jane Hart uses is intensive therapy, which she attends three times a week.

How does Jane Hart's part named Beth relate to her trauma?

Beth, one of Jane Hart's parts, is 10 years old and houses some of Jane's most severe trauma.

How do Jane Hart's different identities communicate with each other?

Jane Hart's different identities communicate through writing in journals and making collages, which also serve as an outlet for their creativity.

What challenges does Jane Hart face in her relationships due to D.I.D.?

Jane Hart faces challenges in dating and relationships due to the presence of different identities, including one part that identifies as a lesbian while Jane herself does not.

How does Jane Hart ensure her children are taken care of when her identities switch?

Jane Hart's identities work as a team to ensure the children are taken care of, with Madison, one of her parts who is 28 years old, often taking on the role of a caretaker.