Other Question about dissociative parts for those with ddnos/osdd

[Keen]

This is a question for those diagnosed with DDNOS or OSDD or who know a lot about structural dissociation. Sorry for asking another question, I'm just trying to navigate this new experience (not really new, but just beginning to have a framework and words for understanding it).

Do you have parts/alters/modes that seem to be really limited and narrow in the scope of their thoughts/feelings/behaviors, for example a "part" who can only think/feel/talk about one specific topic (for example, "things are hopeless" or "I am bad"), but isn't able to carry out everyday life functions? It is as if it has only one specific task/purpose (for example, to sit and cry and feel helpless and talk about how hopeless things or; or, as another example, to obsess about and work out how you have bad character and thats why you got damaged by trauma and that is all it can converse with others about), and its consciousness and thought process cannot extend beyond that specific area?
Does this sound like something you've experienced as an individual with dissociative parts, or does this seem to be something else altogether?

Thanks for you help,
Kassie

 

[BlueOrange]

I'll respond on the basis of 'claiming to know a lot about structural dissociation'. Others may assess my claim differently - take what works for you & disregard the rest ;)

My diagnosis is DID, and my parts vary dramatically in terms of their capabilities. Blue and Orange are both capable of interacting with people in adult conversation, and to get a variety of things done - they are Apparently Normal Parts. (Blue wants everyone to love her. Orange wants everyone to fear him. (Or does he? On reflection, he wants respect, which isn't the same.)) The fact that I have those parts (and a couple of other ANPs, including 'that unnamed guy who shows up to therapy and to support groups like the PTSD forum') is what differentiates my tertiary SD from primary or secondary SD. (I know that you, Kassie, are aware of table 1.1 but I link it for those who don't know it.)

Then I have some very limited parts. There's a part that I identified for the first time in the last 48 hours, who feels lonely. That's basically all he does. He's a pretty serious problem, because he doesn't eat or drink, and I've done myself some real harm out of that neglect.

There's another one who hurts - he feels pain, and remains absolutely silent, and very still. I recently spent 6 months gradually helping him to make words, and there's an amount of communication that he has been able to establish.

And I have some in-between parts. Like the part that hurts people and drives them away, and can use language really well to achieve that objective.

If we accept the Structural Dissociation theory, then a person with DDNOS or OSDD will have several of the lower-and-middle parts, but only one Apparently Normal Part that is able to operate across the full spectrum of social and practical needs. So, a part that 'just cries' and another that 'just talks about how hopeless things are' would be consistent with a diagnosis of secondary structural dissociation.

 

[Keen]

I'll respond on the basis of 'claiming to know a lot about structural dissociation'. Others may ass...

Thank you so much for your response, BlueOrange, this helps a lot! I've been struggling to understand those "limited parts" and what they are.

 

[BlueOrange]

It's confusing and difficult stuff. It's reassuring to hear that it helps :)