What is DID/OSDD1?

## Dissociation

Dissociation is a psychological term for a whole range of experiences. Put simply, dissociation is a disconnection of some kind. You can think of it as being unplugged in some area. Dissociation happens on a continuum, it can be very mild or all the way to very severe.

Dissociation becomes a problem when it is severe, persistent, distressing, or disabling. It is a common aspect of many mental illnesses such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Major Depression. There is also a whole category of Dissociative Disorders, where dissociation of some kind is the primary experience the person is struggling with. Dissociation can be caused by trauma – emotional or a physical injury, by many drugs and medications or by withdrawing from them, and a number of illnesses and diseases such as MS, Lyme disease, epilepsy, and sleep disorders. It’s always important not to assume that dissociation is psychological, but to check that there isn’t an underlying physical cause. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information or training about dissociation, so many people struggle with these experiences but don’t know how to describe them or what can be done to reduce them. Even in the case of a physical cause, psychological approaches to reducing dissociation can still be extremely helpful.

Someone who has severe dissociation in the area of memory would struggle with experiences of confusion or amnesia (which they might describe as ‘losing time’, ‘blackouts’, or ‘zoning out’). Severe amnesia can cause problems such as not recognising family members, not remembering important personal information such as your age, birth date, home address, missing large chunks of memory such as everything that happened between the age of 17 – 36, and ‘coming to’ in strange places, not knowing where you are or how you got there. People can feel stupid, chronically ‘foggy’ and confused, unable to keep track of conversations, plots in books or movies, or to retain new information such as training at work very well.

Disconnections in emotions can make people seem ‘crazy’ or disturbing. Sometimes people don’t react when we would expect to them to and seem very detached, other times people react in ways that seems inappropriate such as giggling at sad news. Emotions can seem to turn off and on suddenly and unexpectedly, for example an ER nurse who was distressed by a child’s injuries but ignored (or dissociated from) her feelings to help care for them might find sudden bursts of sadness, anxiety, and horror happen to her that night when she’s trying to sleep. Disconnected feelings can be a form of flashbacks.

## Plurality

### Causes

DID/OSDD stems from repeated or long-term childhood trauma and is almost always related to complex ptsd (c-ptsd). It has been studied that DID cannot manifest after ages 6-9 due to people having an integrated sense of self after this period. However, later-occurring trauma can lead to more alters "coming forward" even after the initial integration.

DID/OSDD is most commonly caused by betrayal trauma, which occurs when the people that a child depends for survival significantly violates their trust or well-being; an example of this is physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child by the hands of their caregiver.

Other specified dissociative disorder (OSDD) is a catch-all for symptoms that don't fit within other dissociative disorder diagnostics. This disorder has a subtype called OSDD-1 that's very similar to DID but not quite there yet and is split into two other parts called OSDD-1a and OSDD-1b

### Alters

Alters are dissociated parts of a system that can take executive control of the body, or "front" (not all alters will front, some can front continuously while others never will). Each alter has their own perception of self and do not view themselves as only a fragment or "split personality" of the host. Alters often express themselves or behave differently and/or possess varying skills and abilities such as higher pain tolerance than the host. They can have different ages, genders, sexualities, appearances, and species from the host / body. it's important to know that, even if they're nonhuman, alters are no different than you and me; they have wants, opinions, and voices to be listened to. They should be respected just as the host is, even if you're unfamiliar to them. Communication is key, and there's no reason to be unkind to alters.

### Fronting

It's normal for someone to black out and lose track of time during a switch. Sometimes systems will develop the ability for two or more alters to be simultaneously present in the body or have awareness of the outside world. Co-conscious (or co-con) alters may have varying degrees of control over the body— they might not even be aware of each other's thoughts and feelings to a certain level. Co-con can occur more often in some systems than others. Sometimes it takes years of work and communication while other times it happens frequently to the point of very little blackouts / amnesia happening at all.

when interacting with fronting alters, it's important to know that they're not an extension of the host; also, while this is a given, they have their own feelings and thought processes and sometimes they'll even have triggers. Please respect all these factors. Also note that not all alters are keen on interaction. Please don't take it personally if an alter doesn't talk to you or isn't super friendly. Sometimes alters will imitate the host, so you might be unaware that they're fronting unless they let you know directly. Keep in mind that an alter being triggered to come to front isn't always negative, nor is it always for prolonged periods of time! Someone mentioning an alter's interest can cause them to front, as well as other mundane occurrences like their favorite meal being cooked. Other times, alters front when the host is in danger or distress. switches range from slow to rapid, they can last as long as a few minutes to hours.

### Innerworld

Alters don't just float around in someone's brain aimlessly. More often than not, systems will have an inner world where their alters are able to manifest and interact with one another. Some systems will have alters who interact in one room, while others will have an entire house, apartment complex or neighborhood. Interaction between alters is very common, some may even pursue relationships with one another.

### FAQ

Can alters die? They can go into dormancy (something akin to a comatose state) or integrate.

Can DID form in adults? While alters can come forward in adulthood, DID itself cannot form in adults, as adults have a fully integrated personality while developing children do not. though, someone might only realize the existence of their system in adulthood; this is a completely normal occurrence for many systems.

what if an alter has a different race than the host? It's not uncommon for an alter's race to be different from the body's! However, even if an alter is a different race from their body in the inner system, they cannot claim that race when fronting, or reclaim slurs that the body can't reclaim.

Are persecutors dangerous? No alter is dangerous or evil, media such as Psycho or Split twists DID into a narrative that is both completely incorrect and harmful to systems. While persecutors can come off as unfriendly / rude / hateful, it's important to understand that there's always reasoning behind their behavior. Please do not antagonize or berate persecutors.

## Diagnosis

**Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD)** is a diagnosis within the DSM-V covering severe dissociative symptoms that do not fit any other diagnosis. There are five listed types of OSDD.

We have been diagnosed with OSDD1.

### OSDD-1a

OSDD-1a is missing the distinct alters found in DID, preventing a diagnosis. Headmates are more blurry between one another and often have a core or shell identity. The identities with an OSDD-1a system may very similar or diverse; one common presentation is one individual within different "modes" or ages, like an angry self, a 12-year-old self, etc. OSDD-1a is different than typical mood changes due to the amnesiac barriers between headmates.

### OSDD-1b

OSDD-1b is missing the amnesia found in DID, preventing a diagnosis. There is no amnesia related to switching. There may still be memory loss relating to trauma, but not between alters. These systems do not experience clinically significant amounts of amnesia, more commonly having emotional amnesia. They can have black-outs, but it does not severely impact their lives. They still have distinct personality states and distress or issues caused by their symptoms.

### DID

Defined as a disorder associated with overwhelming childhood trauma experiences. Diagnosis requires the existence of two or more distinct personality states, amnesia in regards to everyday life, personal information, or traumatic events, and distress or issues caused by these symptoms in any area of life.

## Terms

Alter : A term for someone in a system.

Blurring : When two or more people are fronting, and the line between who they are gets blurred / When two people mix up a little and get blurred together.

Co-Fronting : Co-fronting or co-hosting is when two or more people are taking control of the body at once.

Co-Conscious : When two or more people are conscious at the same time. You're usually able to communicate with each other like this.

Exotrauma : Trauma that's specific to one person. Whether it's the mind trying to work through the body's trauma in chunks, or it's trauma from their source if they're an introject. This can also be trauma from other headmates, including persecutors.

Forming : When a new person is formed. Can relate to both non-voluntary, and voluntary forming. Can also be called Splitting.

Fronting : When someone is in control of the body.

Front Sticky : When someone is continuously drawn to front, no matter how many times they leave. Usually, it feels like the body wants them in control.

Front Stuck : When someone is unable to stop fronting, and is forced to keep control of the body. Unlike sticky, they can't leave front at all.

Headmate : A non-clinical term for someone in a system.

Innerworld/Headspace : The innerworld, or headspace, is where headmates live inside the mind. Not all systems have headspace.

Integration : In most cases, means when system mates start fusing together permanently, usually to make a system smaller. Sometimes, it can also mean when amnesiac systems stop losing memories between each other.

NPC : A non-alter/headmate in a system. Not real alters, but they're filler so headspace isn't so empty.

Outerworld/Meatspace : The opposite of headspace, this is the body's world.

Parethnic : A system member who is a different ethnicity than the body.

Plurality/Multiplicity : The state of being plural or multiple; the name of having multiple people in one body.

Singlet : A non-system. One person with one body.

Singletsona : The mask everyone agrees to act as when they aren't out as a system.

Switching : When people in system switch who is fronting.

System : The collective of people or facets inside the body is (most of the time) referred to as the system.

System Stagnant : When the system starts to get quieter, and it’s harder for people to take front or talk to people outside of system (some even inside system). Kind of like the entire system is dissociating, and only a handful of people can really front, making them frequent fronters.

## Resources

More Than One

A quick and easy site that explains the basics of plurality. Very useful to easily link beginners to the concept an introductory explanation of plurality and systems. Includes all the basic information singlets would need to know and is very inclusive/doesn’t make any assumptions about systems or their origins.

Crash Course To Plurality

A plural education site that is a bit more in-depth than More Than One. It does have some basic information, but also explains the plural community and its history, including its many issues. Not necessarily recommended for complete beginners to the concept of systems but it is good for those who want to have a more comprehensive understanding of plurality, such as singlets who wish to support a system in their life or questioning plurals.

Plurality Playbook

A released internal Google company document written by plurals for employers/managers which explains the concept of plurality and necessary information about the practical functionality of plural systems in the workplace. Not necessarily designed to be a broad educational resource for any given context, but it is fascinating to see and surprisingly inclusive and accurate. May be a useful resource for employers or coworkers, if coming out as plural in that environment.

Kinhost

A project run by The Crisses that hosts many assorted articles and writings by, for, and about plurals. One of the older and more well-established community resources out there, but it is also kept up to date and maintained continuously. Lots of valuable self help content for systems and origin inclusive, with a heavy focus on plural advocacy and autonomy. Has an associated plurality focused podcast (Many Minds on the Issue) and a wide arsenal of useful tools and advice for plurals.

Plurality

A neocities site that compiles plural resources as well as plural terms and flags. Has a nice little dictionary and a format that’s very accessible and easy to navigate.

The Plural Dictionary

A short and sweet carrd that compiles plural terms and flags. Good for basic introductory information, but also actually pretty expansive and includes many system origins, modifiers, etc. Somewhat outdated and some links are broken.

Pluralpedia

The most comprehensive, well moderated, and up to date plural Wikipedia we know of. Everything appears to be well sourced, organized, and maintained very well. It isn’t perfect, and of course has all the issues a community generated wiki will always have, but it’s probably one of the most useful and comprehensive resources out there for defining plural terms.

LB Lee’s Plural Wiki

A wiki of plural terminology. Includes thorough explanations and plenty of useful sources. One of the most well sourced plural term collections or dictionaries there are. Lots of valuable history and information about some of the older or more “basic” plural community terms.

Plural Terms Galore

A carrd that hosts the largest dictionary of plural terminology we know of with many terms and definitions that are difficult or impossible to find other references for. Despite being rather poorly referenced and organized, and having no sources anywhere, it hosts some terms that we literally have not been able to find anywhere else, including terms from sources that we know have since been deleted. Due to the size and comprehensiveness of this resource alone, we find it useful, especially when looking for lost terms you can’t seem to find original sources for or references to anywhere else.

Plural Terms

A large dictionary of plural terminology that includes flags. Despite being larger and including a lot more than most other dictionaries, many links are broken and the format is not necessarily the best. It is also not kept up to date and is somewhat outdated. Still useful for finding more niche terms/flags that are hard to find in other places.

Endogenic Systems

An educational carrd introducing and explaining endogenic systems with a few academic sources. Dispels some common myths and is good for addressing misinformation about non-traumagenic systems.

Plural Activism

An educational carrd compiling important information about and resources for plural activism and advocacy including a brief history of plural activism, currently existing resources for it including a database of plural activists and plural activist organizations, and how to get involved yourself. We cannot recommend this resource enough.

The Plural Association Nonprofit

The website for The Plural Association, a nonprofit organization created and run by plurals for the benefit of plurals and the plural community. Their current major project is to open The Plural Warmline sometime in 2021, a warmline for systems and the plural community specifically, which includes live chat and email options and which is operated entirely by trained plurals. Their website is also full of educational articles and resources, helpful tools and support for plurals, and all sorts of amazing things. Inclusive, educational, useful, accurate, supportive, and all the good and lovely things. Gives us all sorts of warm fuzzies. Also helps a marginalized community. Consider donating if you are able!

Power to the Plurals

A plural resource library run by and affiliated with The Plural Association. Unlike the website for The Plural Association, this focuses far more on just hosting resources like articles.

Termora

A website and corresponding Discord bot that hosts a dictionary of plural (as well as some queer) community terminology. The dictionary can be searched and accessed through the site itself but there is also a corresponding bot which can be invited to Discord servers and easily used to search for terms. One of a few plural dictionary Discord bots. The website is not the most organized but it works well and has quite the database of terms.

askStentor

A website and corresponding Discord bot that hosts a dictionary of plural community terminology. The dictionary can be searched and accessed through the site itself but there is also a corresponding bot which can be invited to Discord servers and easily used to search for terms. One of a few plural dictionary Discord bots. The website is rather well organized and formatted but the terms themselves aren’t always comprehensive and can be somewhat poorly sourced.