Dissociative disorders - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

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[marksalot]

This video literally made me cry. I thought I was crazy because I have often felt like I was an outsider who was watching my life on a video. I would also sit in front of the mirror and not recognize the person in the mirror was me.

[MrLuigiFercotti]

This is one of those things where you go "Oh, that's what that feeling is."

[maddievic]

Does anyone else suffer from depersonalization? I can't maintain any relationships with others because I don't feel authentic or connected to my own self. I push anyone and everyone away. Can anyone relate?

[maxlovesateez]

I suffer from disorder, and I can tell you this.

it sucks.

I sometimes go through days to weeks on end without feeling anything, just staring into space, and having to have EVERYONE talk super slowly so I can hear and understand them.

when I snap out of my moments, I feel it all at once, and I might cry for hours on end

[donttouchmycat]

As someone with a dissociative disorder that has made my life anywhere from obnoxious to funny to heartbreaking, thank you for the representation! These videos deserve more recognition.

[happyvalentino]

Sometimes I have moments where I feel like I’m out of my body and nothing is real. I just keep thinking about how I got here and what we’re doing in these bodies. How did I even get in this body? It feels extremely weird but calming. It’s like I’m looking at myself from above?? It confuses me because I physically feel out of my body.

It tends to happen to me more when I’m alone or in crowded places, especially when I’m sleepy. I just feel numb and tired.

[KuriousCitten]

I’m 17, turning 18 next month, and I’m currently going through a possible D.I.D. diagnosis. It starts to explain a lot, especially when it comes to the fact I remember almost nothing about my whole middle school life as well as sophomore year of high school. I know usually it’s boring but I remember practically nothing. Through the rest of my high school life and after my graduation there have been moments where the urge to be someone else became strong and I’d often ‘pass out’ and ‘wake up’ without remembering anything or in somewhere different. I often get told how I act differently sometimes and bring up something that I don’t remember doing.

I feel like I’m lying to everyone because sometimes I know and sometimes I don’t, even though I’m often not around anyone. My therapist is really kind and understanding, and I consider myself lucky to have a good therapist. He insists that it’s ok to feel bad but that he knows I’m not trying to fake it. That makes me feel more comfortable

[EDIT: We tried but I’m actually moving away from a DID diagnosis, although it explained a lot it didn’t quite fit me! It possible that this urge for differing personalities actually stems a lot from not just my autism, but a possible mood disorder! While it’s still obvious that I suffer a lot from dissociative issues, it’s not DID! However that time I spent undergoing the process of that diagnosis taught me a lot, and I hope to find the right diagnosis for me!)

[randomlbandbd]

For anyone wondering, in my experience dissociation feels like you’re in a movie theatre and what you’re watching is your field of vision. You know what’s happening but you feel safe in this “theatre” to me at least.

[MrVolpe]

I’ve been trying to figure myself out for 20+ years. Never knew how to explain it. Never felt right telling anyone. Never thought that all the puzzle pieces were to the same picture. When I finally stumbled upon this video, I never became so still, literally taking my breath away, time stopping, mind focused, but most of all, eyes watering as tears ran down my face. This video isn’t just a great collaboration of information for people to cope with or students to learn from. This video gave me all the answers I’ve been searching for my entire life, and even better, knowing what it all is means I can now finally find ways to help myself instead of losing my mind in the abyss. Thank you so much for making this video, so so much ❤️❤️❤️

[NilanjanaRai]

may 🧚‍♀️God bless the soul who is suffering and so you find your home soon, may you find your happiness you've been seeking finds you sooner

[azo]

1. The “Covert” DID is actually OSDD. People with DID can be covert while having alters, in fact most are.

2. Switches to other alters can last for days, months or years.

3. Integration is not the only therapy. Communication is also a type of therapy.

[zootedpeewee]

Wow... I've never known how to describe the constant disconnection from myself and my memories, the feeling that love and relationships are out of reach, the feeling that connecting with people is an impossible process. It's comforting to know there are others out there and I've found a way to verbalise my experiences.

[amandal]

I always thought I was just tired lmao

[mgrandell]

I remember trying to explain to doctors many, many times about feeling like I was living in a movie, or the sudden realization that I am here, in my body, like watching a movie from the inside out. They all treated me like I was nuts and said I just had anxiety. FF 2 years later when I was diagnosed with PTSD and dissociative disorder. I cried when someone finally said she thought she knew what was going on and started asking me all questions no one asked me before and it was to the T what I was experiencing. Did some therapy with her and it helped immensely. Unfortunately she left that clinic and no other dr has been able to understand.

[kieraowens]

Just got diagnosed with this, and I had no clue what it was. When I watched this video, it described everything I’ve been feeling for years. 😭

[kimberlymaizemsw]

I was diagnosed with DID (I had all 3 of these dissociative "disorders") in 2003. After many years of education and research (mostly about myself and my experiences) and intense trauma treatment, I have integrated. It's taken about 19 years to become fully whole. This is an informative and helpful video. However, it is my perspective that these dissociative experiences are understandable reactions to the trauma we experience and not a disorder at all.
I recognize that people relate to this language, but there are other ways to see ourselves, if identifying as disordered and pathological does not feel good to you. Also, there are treatment modalities that are quite popular that focus solely on alter work, which only fragments people more. I realize that many people do not want to integrate and that is fine for them, but that is what saved my life.

[ms-functionalmultiplicity]

I'll say it was good, a great explaination. One thing I personally find an issue with... Treatment for DID. As someone with DID and have been pursuing a psychology degree, I find that integration is not necessary. I function quiet well without integration. Personally, I believe that once a person can define who they are individually, and learn to Accept Themselves, then learning to accept and understand each of their alters, Communication and connection within their system is the true goal of treatment. Integration, should not be pushed. Being DID, having full Communication and connection between all of my alters, understanding and acceptance has turned my life around completely. I Can be more than one person, I have already proved that because of having DID. Having the connection and Communication I have, also proves to me that integration is not necessarily needed. If it were to happen I accept it, however as I am co-conscious and have control now, being multiple isn't scary or a bad thing. Different, yes, but Everyone is different and if everyone can be different, I can be different in my own way. DID to me is not a disorder anymore. We have order amongst us, it is what I call a Survival Mechanism. To survive the traumas I have experienced, they Needed to become. We are humans, beings of intelligence and have the ability to create. DID is a direct link to Creation. The alters that where created in my system have proven to be very helpful now that we are all on the same page. Having the ability to see from another perspective due to my alters having their own beliefs, opinions and personalities, has proven to me to be an Awakening of sorts. I can now be logical and reasonable with my decisions. I am able to be discerning rather than judgemental. I can sympathize with others even when I do not agree with their actions or reactions. Understanding and Accepting my alters have given me a wisdom not many my age have. I myself plan to do my own research after earning my degree in psychology, to better understand other systems and help people with DID change what is currently unrealistic expectations of treatment, and give them a better direction in being whole and multiple at the same time. If I can do it, so can they.

[marliehodge]

I constantly feel like I'm not actually where I am.

[Cryptikel]

coming from someone who is questioning if they might have did due to having many symptoms (dissociation, trauma, not feeling real, forgetting, ect.) I don't want to self diagnose cuz I am not a doctor, so videos like this help me be more educated and help learn more before going to therapy to see if I can get diagnosed so really thank you so much for making this!
<3

[Eldfell]

Hey! I'm a teen and struggling with derealization. The first time I experienced it was back in October 2019. I still remember the time it started because it was such a major change in my daily life. About 2 weeks ago it finally stopped and I felt so relieved, happy and full of energy. For only one day. It was disappointing, but now it's even worse. Five days ago it suddenly got more intense and it just won't go away. I tried explaining it to my parents and after a lot of failed attempts my mom said she would look into it and maybe take me to a psychologist. I really want to snap out of this dream like state.