The Different Parts of Me

All About DID & OSDD

Hi guys!

This is Chloe & Jennie and we are two of the ANP(apparently normal parts) hosts and protectors of the DIDreamers System, the writers of this series. From now on, whoever is fronting will introduce themselves at the beginning of each part.

We decided to write this to help others with DID & OSDD not feel alone and help get a better understanding of themselves. Also, help family/friends better understand their family member or friend navigate and understand these disorders.

We know that it can be very hard but we want to shed light and break the stigma behind DID & OSDD.

The media...

The media has written out systems to be feared, dangerous and outcasts but as having a body that experiences having this disorder, it is generally not like that at all! (please don't say "suffers" because it can be very invalidating to the system). Its not at all like you see in movies or TV series. We are not super heroes or dangers. We are just... normal people that have unique minds.

Is it rare?

These disorders, once thought to be rare, is now known to be as common as bulimia. Many go undiagnosed as there is not many therapists, physiatrists, or other medical professionals that specialize in them. We hope that in the future this will change as it starts to become even more understood.

How to understand it? What's up with all this lingo?

So, for friends and family that is supporting someone with DID/OSDD, you may be wondering..."system" "alter" "host"? "What does all of this mean?" You may also be wondering "What is the best way to support someone with it?" In later parts, we will go even further into how to do this.

So what are DID & OSDD and what do they stem from?

DID & OSDD is a trauma-based disorder that stems from a child between the ages of 6-9 years of age. It occurs when the child can not handle a certain trauma that they go through and because of this, their personality splits into multiple parts known as "parts" or commonly known as "alters".

This is not easy to be seen in people because it is a disorder made to look the person with it appear "normal". It helps them blend into what's around them, if there is something that they can't cope with, know what to do, or understand.

What is the difference between DID & OSDD?

There are 3 types of dissociative identity disorders. We will give the meanings and differences between them. Though some are more severe than others, they are all valid.

These are:

DID: Known fully as "Dissociative Identity Disorder" and its previous name, "Multiple Personality Disorder". It is a disorder that encompasses multiple"personalities" or "alters" in one body. There are serious cases of amnesia, time lapses, feeling of being out of your body, gender dysphoria and other things. The alters may be very similar or completely different. In DID specifically, the personalities are generally totally different from each other but there are still some that probably appear "normal".

OSDD1a: Fully known as "Other Specified Dissociative Disorder 1a", it is a disorder on the dissociative disorders spectrum. The difference between OSDD1a and your common DID case is that the alters are more commonly like each other. It may be possible for the host(the main alter of the body that fronts the most; will go into more later) to get around without anyone to notice a difference. However, they may still deal with mild amnesia and/or time lapses.

OSDD1b: Known as "Other Specified Dissociative Disorder 1b" is also a disorder on the dissociative disorders spectrum.  The biggest difference between 1a & 1b is that, someone with 1b experiences absolutely no amnesia and/or time lapses so they can generally remember what has happened to the body at all times. Both 1a & 1b have alters that is commonly more similar to each other.

Sound complicated?

With research and study, this all will start to become more easy to understand. You will know in no short time.

So, what now?

I'm sure with words such "host", "alter", or "system", you may be thinking "What the heck does all this mean?" In our next part, we will be explaining the many words associated with DID/OSDD.

So that's all and see you in the next part!

Much love,

- Jennie & Chloe <3