DID DID: just diagnosed, any tips/good resources?

[Swift]

Hi all,
I'm @Swift, she/her, 26, complex PTSD from CSA, female perpetrator.
I dissociate a fair bit. Today I mentioned the possibility of DID to both my psychiatrist and my T, both of whom assumed I knew I had it and gave me the therapeutic equivalent of a "well, duh..."

I didn't know I had it, but I must have had it for years.
I was just wondering if anyone had any tips, or books or resources they might be able to point me in the direction of.

It feels like a pretty big diagnosis, and I haven't done much reading, so anything would be appreciated.

 

[somerandomguy]

If you can handle visiting yet another forum, there's an excellent one called Mosaic Minds. IIRC they have quite a bit of information there.

 

[MyWillow]

Hey @Swift I hope you’re doing ok after that confirmation. I’m not DID but I’m aware of parts - not something we’ve explored deeply in session apart from acknowledging that they are there - so this something I have sought information on.

I think “The Body Keeps The Score” should be on the standard book reading list for everyone.

Janina Fisher - “Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors”

Steele, Boon, Van Der Hart - “Treating Trauma Related Dissociation”

Also the PODS website has some interesting information too.

I like books directed at Ts as well as clients so my suggestions might be a bit heavy. I have to be really cautious about how much and how often and when I dig into them. They can be quite triggering so please proceed with caution. It’s also worth asking your Ts for some guidance and monitoring how you are coping with that new information.

Best wishes :) x

 

[grit]

The haunted self was one of the most healing book for me. Heavy because it is written for therapists but it is really good.

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

One book that I really liked was I am More Than One: How Women With Dissociative Identity Disorder Have Found Success In Work And Life.

Some of the books feel like they focus on pathology, and that one seemed to focus more on what is adaptive about DID, which I found helpful when I was first diagnosed.

Good luck. I know how hard it can be to suddenly have the label.

 

[Swift]

Thanks all.
Will definitely check it all out.
Am working through the Trauma Related Dissociation book.

 

[grit]

Thanks all.
Will definitely check it all out.
Am working through the Trauma Related Dissociation book.

HI Swift,
not sure if you have seen this thread - it is really old but it has really good stuff about dissociation that will apply to DID.

I am on my caretaker mode now.

Enjoy
Structural Dissociation

 

[whiteraven]

One of the most useful things for me when I was first diagnosed was talking to others who dealt with it. My two favorite books early on were Amongst Ourselves, by Tracy Alderman and Karen Marshall and The Magic Daughter, by Jane Phillips. There are a bunch of others, but these really spoke to me.

 

[Keen]

I've read all three books @MyWillow suggested and found them super helpful, especially the Janina Fisher book.