DID/OSDD-1 RESOURCES
*due to the nature of the disorder, there will be mentions (but not in detail) of abuse
WHAT IS DID/OSDD-1?
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Before we can talk about DID, we need to talk about dissociative disorders in general. While almost everyone experiences some dissociation at least once in their life, dissociative disorders describe people who experience dissociation in ways that are significant, distressing, and disruptive to daily life.According to the DSM-5, “dissociative disorders are characterized by a disruption of and/or discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior.”Here are the main dissociative disorders listed in the DSM-5:- Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- Dissociative Amnesia
- Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (DPDR)
- Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD)
- Unspecified Dissociative Disorder (UDD)- Dissociative Amnesia involves memory loss that goes beyond normal forgetfulness, and it’s not due to a physical condition.
- DPDR includes feeling detached from yourself or the world, like everything is unreal, even when you know it isn’t.
- OSDD includes dissociative symptoms that don’t meet the full criteria for another dissociative disorder. It has four subtypes.
- UDD is used in emergency or unclear cases when symptoms don’t fit a specific category.According to the theory of structural dissociation — a widely supported model — all children start with separate ego states. These are different mental functions responsible for things like getting food, bonding with caregivers, learning, and so on.As children grow and develop a stable identity, these ego states usually integrate into one whole personality. But if a child goes through repeated trauma at an early age, these ego states may remain separate and develop into their own identities.That’s how DID and OSDD-1 can form.
DID EXPLAINED
DID used to be called things like "multiple personality disorder" or even "hysteria" in older times. The term "multiple personality disorder" was especially sensationalized by the media. It wasn’t until the DSM-IV in 1994 that the name changed to "Dissociative Identity Disorder," which better reflects the actual nature of the condition.DID involves having two or more distinct identity states — also called "alters" or "parts." These can differ in name, age, gender, sexual orientation, preferences, memories, and more.Some people with DID experience amnesia between these states, but not all do. Amnesia can range from losing time completely, to what's called "gray-out" amnesia, where things are foggy or remembered like bullet points.
OSDD-1 EXPLAINED
OSDD-1 is a related diagnosis. It used to be called DDNOS-1a and 1b. There are two common presentations but not diagnostic labels:OSDD-1a: All the criteria of DID are met except the alters are not fully differentiated. They may feel more like versions of the same person at different ages.OSDD-1b: The alters are distinct like in DID, but there is little or no amnesia between them.
COMORBIDIES
DID and OSDD-1 are often comorbid with other conditions. These may include:- Complex PTSD
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression, Anxiety
- Substance Use Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
- Autism, ADHD
- Even physical health issues like autoimmune conditionsHaving multiple diagnoses is very common in people with DID or OSDD-1.
WHAT ARE ALTERS?
ALTERS EXPLAINED
alters, also known as "dissociated self states," "parts," "alternate states of consciousness," are different parts the person who has DID/OSDD-1. Alters can, but not always, have; their own names, ages, interests, sexual/romatic orientation, gender identity, abilities, memories, agency, ect. Alters are very complex and can easily vary person-to-person and even within the system itself.alters often can control the body or be aware of their surroundings without controlling the body. amnesia is not always present between alters, but it is very common.there are debates about whether or not an "original alter" exists, but recent studies imply that it doesn't. plurality with did/osdd-1 can be very complex and different for everyone, but generally there is no original and it is hurtful to claim.
ALTER ROLES
host: the alter that fronts the most.core: an outdated term for the "original alter."protector: an alter who protects the body, system, specific alters, and/or those outside the body.caregiver: an alter who takes care of the body, system, specific alters, and/or those outside the body.persecutor: an alter who is most times a 'misguided protector" who harms the body, system, specifc alters, and/or those outside the body for their own sense of "protecting." generally these alters do not cause harm outside of the body, but they can. most of these alters can be rehibilitated and great friends.gatekeeper: an alter who generally control; where memories go, which alter(s) is/are present, and/or other information about the system.internal self helper: an alter who generally doesn't come to the outside world, but may know inner workings of trauma, system structure, and/or take care of other alters when they are not outside.memory holder: an alter who holds specific memories.symptom holder: an alter who experiences most or more of symptoms from a comorbid disorder.
ALTER AGES
littles: alters that are 0-9. littles may act like children, but they are not literal children and it is up to the person or alter whether or not the little wants to be treated as a kid. littles can handle many things that the body age can handle and may even hold specific trauma memories.middles: alters that are 10-12 (some even consider up to 14 a middle) just like littles, it is up to the middle how they want to be treated.teens: alters that are 13-19.adults/bigs: alters that are 18+. there is no limit on how old an alter can be, some alters may be 1000s of years old.age sliders: alters that slide between different ages. there may be an alter who is normally 19 but sometimes is 11 or 21. this is different from age regression which is typically an alter who is a certain age but becomes a set younger age for whatever reason.ageless: alters that don't have a defined age or don't identify with an age.
MYTHS & DEBUNCKING
"DID and OSDD-1 are so rare, you’ll never meet someone with them."
Actually, DID affects around 1.1% to 3% of the population, and OSDD (all types) may be as high as 8%. These are both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Dissociative disorders are heavily underdiagnosed.
"People with DID or OSDD-1 are just faking it for attention."
Malingering exists, but it's extremely rare. Most people who come forward are telling the truth. And remember: if you're not a licensed clinician, it's not your role to judge. And even if you are, it’s unethical to diagnose someone without consent or context.
"People with DID are dangerous."
This one is especially harmful. The truth is, people with DID are far more likely to be re-victimized than to be perpetrators. Like any group, there are exceptions — but systems are overwhelmingly survivors, not threats.
"You can always tell when someone is switching."
Actually, most systems are covert. Overt systems, where you can clearly see the difference between alters, are the exception. Many switches are subtle and internal unless the system feels safe enough to be open.
"Everyone with DID has amnesia."
Not always. In OSDD-1b, amnesia may be absent. Even in DID, the amnesia can be subtle, like forgetting details, losing emotional context, or having "gray-out" memory.
COMMON TERMS
BASIC TERMS
Alters: Alternate state of consciousness/distinct separate personality state/dissociated self states. people may also use the term “parts,” or “headmate."Fragments: "incomplete alters”/alters that are not fully formed and may only have a few characteristics about them (only a name, only an age, ect) and may be trapped in mood states.System/Collective: A group of alters within the same body.Polygragmented/complex DID: A system that has a high fragments to alters ratio, complex splitting patterns (alters that may be “copies of each other”, many parts formed for a specific trauma, alters that have their own “subsystem”) This is a community term and there is not a medical term for it.Introject: Introjects are alters that can feel like they’re from fictional media (fictives) or based on a real person (factive) (Abuser factives, a superwoman fictive) Some introjects may feel like they are these people or they may just have those appearances.Front/Fronting: Where an alter is conscious and can control the body. Multiple alters can front at the same time (co-fronting).Co-Consciousness: Where 2 or more alters are conscious; they cannot always control the body. Alters that are co-fronting are always co-conscious, though alters that are co-conscious are not always co-fronting.Switching: Where an alter leaves the front and another alter takes over.Dormant: Alters that are no longer active but could become active.Integration: When alters work to decrease amnesia barriers. This could make switching easier and lead to less forgetfulness. This can be when the healing process ends for DID.Fusion: When 2 or more alters become 1 alter. This is due to integration. Some may also say “final fusion” which is where all alters of a system will work to become 1 identity. Not every system wants that and that’s ok, seeing as integration can be healing enough.
RESOURCES
WEBSITES
traumadissociation.comdid-research.orgDissociative Identity Disorder - Traumadissociation.comAlter Identity in Dissociative Identity Disorder (MPD), OSDD, and Partial DID - Traumadissocation.comAlter Ages - did-research.orgSwitching and Passive Influence - did-research.orgTime Loss, Black Outs, and Co-consciousness - did-research.orgMyths and Misconceptions - did-research.org
YOUTUBE
*PROFESIONALS ARE MARKED WITH An exclamation markThe CTAD Clinic!The Rings SystemMultiplicityAndMeWhy it might be useful talking about Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) with friends and family! (The CTAD Clinic)How to answer the question, "Is DID a real thing?"! (The CTAD Clinic)31 Myths and Misconceptions about DID/OSDD! (The Rings System)Recovered from DID | Post-fusion Q&A ☕️ (MultiplicityAndMe)Dr Mike Lloyd Introduces Dissociative Identity Disorder | #AskTheExperts! (MultiplicityAndMe in collaboration with The CTAD Clinic)How much trauma do you need to have Dissociative Identity Disorder? | All About ACES (MultiplicityAndMe)
MISC
Dissociation Made Simple by Jamie Marich (self-help book)The Sum of my Parts - Olga Trullijo (memoir, click on the block beside this to see tws.)