During the past decade, increasing numbers of clinicians and researchers have suggested that the dissociative disorders, including DID, may be more prevalent than previously hypothesized. This "rediscovery" of DID is due, in part, to the recognition that early childhood trauma in conjunction with the propensity to dissociate, are etiologic factors for the development of DID. Ross (1989) and Braun (1986) suggest that there is a continuum of dissociative phenomena. These can range from the mind being on something completely unrelated to the task currently being performed to diagnostic entities such as dissociative fugue, dissociative amnesia, depersonalization disorder, and DID. DID is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states, each of which has its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self. At least two of the identities recurrently take control of the individual's behavior, and there is an inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. The antecedents of severe childhood physical and/or sexual trauma have been correlated with DID. After discussing the assessment of dissociative disorders, this article discusses the treatment process. The treatment program described is a derivative of the prototype program developed for recovery from childhood sexual abuse (Lundberg-Loce, 1990). The initial phases of treatment include assessment, anxiety management training, and the identification of possible "alters." This is followed by a carefully paced initial intervention. Topics covered are the development of co-consciousness, working through the trauma, resolution and integration, and the development of post-resolution coping skills. 32 references