Welcome to Dissociative Resources!

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional help in any way. It is a supplemental tool to help your understanding of dissociation and DID/OSDD. The authors of this site are not medical professionals and are unable to diagnose individuals or label individual experiences as specifically indicative of DID/OSDD.

Welcome to Dissociative Resources. This website is intended to educate laypeople on dissociation and DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) / OSDD (Other Specified Dissociative Disorder).

The Basics

Most people are familiar with DID as a replacement term for MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder). While it is true that one symptom of DID (and OSDD) is an experience of being split into multiple 'parts' or 'selves,' there is a lot more to DID and OSDD than being a traumagenic (resulting from trauma) system (a collective of split 'parts'). Traumagenic systemhood is only one of a wide variety of symptoms and experiences recognized in those who have DID or OSDD.

The first and foremost symptom that affects those with DID or OSDD is dissociation. The term dissociation encompasses a wide spectrum of experiences, from common and normal 'highway hypnosis' experienced by most, to a complete disconnection between parts that make up the self. Dissociation becomes a cause for concern when it is maladaptive, i.e. it starts causing distress and disruptions enough to interfere with normal functions of everyday life.

It is important to note that traumagenic systemhood is distinct from plurality or multiplicity as a general descriptor. Plurality (and multiplicity) describes all experiences involving more than one entity within a single body, regardless of whether trauma or dissociation is involved.

Note: When relevant, this website primarily discusses traumagenic systemhood and does not go into topics of plurality or multiplicity.

Head to What is Dissociation? to learn more!