The Spectrum of Dissociative Disorders
As society has become increasingly aware of the prevalence of child abuse and its serious consequences, there has been an explosion of information on posttraumatic and dissociative disorders resulting from abuse. Now clinicians are struggling to build their knowledge base.
Trauma & Memory
Research has shown that traumatized individuals respond by using a variety of psychological mechanisms. One of the most common means of dealing with the pain is to try and push it out of awareness. Some label the phenomenon of the process whereby the mind avoids conscious acknowledgment of traumatic experiences as dissociative amnesia. Others use terms such as repression, dissociative state , traumatic amnesia, psychogenic shock, or motivated forgetting. Semantics aside, there is near-universal scientific acceptance of the fact that the mind is capable of avoiding conscious recall of traumatic experiences. Leadership Council on Child Abuse & Interpersonal Violence (LCCAI) has collected a wealth of information and research sources concerning abuse and memory, particularly Dissociative Amnesia available at this site.
When a Brain Forgets Where Memory Is
Every so often, seemingly normal people suddenly walk out of their lives and disappear, with no recollection of who they are, where they are from or what their previous life was like. It is the stuff of fiction, but it happens in real life too. Dissociative Fugue is precipitated by a severe stress or emotionally traumatic event that is so painful, the mind seems to shut down and erase everything. An article by Jane E Brody of the International Herald Tribune's Health & Science Section.
The Effects of DID on Children of Survivors
Advocates who work with children of people with dissociative or other trauma disorders can be more effective if they appreciate the unique stressors faced by these families. By Esther Giller, president and director of the Sidran Foundation.
Childhood Trauma & Dissociation in Adulthood
Dissociative symptoms are disruptions in usually integrated functions of consciousness such as memory, identity and perception of the environment. Whether dissociation is primarily a response to overwhelming experiences, especially in childhood, is a subject of debate. Research examining the relationship between childhood trauma and adult dissociation has focused primarily on sexual and physical abuse. The American Academy of Family Physicians' Barbara Apgar, MD, MS, reviews a study conducted by Drs Draijer and Langeland on adult dissociation in relation to childhood events.
Life After MPD
Judy Castelli, founder and former owner of the Mental Health Matters site, describes the journey of her recovery from Multiple Peronalities and child abuse.
Child Abuse And Multiple Personality Disorder: HealthyPlace.com
Deals with how the syndrome of multiple personality is associated with a high incidence of physical and/or sexual abuse in childhood. Part of Healthy Places' Personality Disorder section. HealthyPlace.com is the largest consumer mental health site, providing comprehensive information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view. They offer active chatrooms, hosted support groups, people who keep online journals/diaries, psychological tests, breaking mental health news, mental health videos, online documentary films, a mental health radio show and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma & Dissociation
FAQ's on both topics from the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation. Includes a list of reference sources and a link to the ISSTD site.
"Split Personalities" Probed
One human brain can have two different personalities dwelling in it, according to a new imaging study - and each personality seems to use its own network of nerves to help recall or suppress memories. A new imaging study led by Simone Reinders of Groningen University Hospital, has been able to graph completely seperate nerve networks functioning in a single brain. An article written by Helen Pearson for BioEd Online's biology & life sciences news section.
Trauma and Terror in Childhood: The Impact of Childhood Trauma
Childhood can be a very dangerous time. Each year in the United States alone more than 5 million children experience some form of traumatic experience. Traumatic stress can have profound impact on the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social and physical development of children, in some cases resulting in lifelong loss of potential and chronic mental and physical health problems. These injuries cost the individual, their family, community and, ultimately, society. Bruce D Perry, MD, PhD, of the Child Trauma Academy explains dissociation, hyper-awareness and the ways that survival instinct causes children to adapt to trauma.
Therapeutic Influence in DID & Recovered Memories
DID remains highly controversial, but despite the debate, there is general agreement that some patients, with the unwitting encouragement of their therapists, can learn to show symptoms of DID. Ralph Underwager & Hollida Wakefield present two case studies that illustrate how therapists can encourage recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse and the development of alter personalities.
Memories of Childhood Abuse: Dissociation, Amnesia, and Corroboration
This study investigated the relationship between self-reported childhood abuse and dissociative symptoms and amnesia. The presence or absence of corroboration of recovered memories of childhood abuse was also studied.
Sexual Abuse, Dissociative States & Woman's Spiritual Development
Do the dissociative states experienced during childhood sexual abuse influence the adult woman survivor's spiritual development? This graduate study searches for the effectthese sates may on the search for purpose and meaning in life and the implication for the clinician and treatment. The articles also comes with an archived reader discussionreader discussion.
Identity Crisis: Overcoming Multiple Personality Disorder
Writer Anne Underwood talks frankly with a former Multiple about the reintegration process that united her 17 personalities. An article from the New York Times.
Losing Time: Dissociative Identity Disorder & the Real Time Travellers
In this 2006 article from The American Chronicle.com, Sociologist and author Donna Williams explores the ups and downs of life with DID and the similarities between dissociative cognition and her Autism.
Empty Memories: Library
The Netherlands' astounding site Empty Memories focuses on PTSD and the spectrum of Dissociative Disorders. On this lengthy page, discover a wealth of articles on all aspects of dissociation researched and written by professionals from across the globe.
Probing the Enigma of Multiple Personality
Some with DID have alters with medical conditions that are only present when that particular alter is. Researchers feel it may be possible to teach non-DID patients a similar degree of cognitive control to aid with symptom management. An article from the Health section of the New York Times, written by Daniel Goleman.
A History of Dissociative Identity Disorder
From the Spring 2003 issue of UPJ (UCLA'S journal for psychology undergrads), this brief but thorough history- written by Rachel E Robertson- is actually part of larger work about the psychology of "demonic posession".
The Inner Mind: Dissociation & Multiple Personality Before "Eve"
The importance "Eve" lies in the way the book and movie, The Three Faces of Eve, introduced the general public to Dissocaitive Identity Disorder's existence.
Helium.com: Multiple Personality Vs Schizophrenia
The terms "Multiple Personality" and Schizophrenia" were once often misused interchangeably by the general public. Learn more in this article index from Helium.com's Personality Disorder section. Also check out The Roles Each Personality Plays in MPD and MPD: A Disorder of the Mind Protecting Itself?
Mental Health: Dissociative Fugue
People with dissociative fugue temporarily lose their sense of personal identity and impulsively wander or travel away from their homes or places of work. An article from WebMD.com.
Education Matters: Denial in Dissociation
Denial often plays a crucial role in the dissociative process, and must be addressed for healing to occur. An insightful essay from Suite101.com's Ritual Abuse article archive.
Early Warning Signs of Switching
One of the most common fears of multiples is that they will switch inappropriately in public. Not only is this embarrassing at times and hard to explain to those who do not know the survivor is multiple, it can also be dangerous. For these reasons, it is important to develop awareness of how to recognise the early warning signals of switching and have a variety of techniques for avoiding switching when necessary. An informative page by survivor Sara Lambert.
Mindfulness: An Inner Resource for Recovery from Child Abuse
How does a mindfulness meditator learn to feel strong emotions and bodily sensations without getting overwhelmed or dissociating? An article by therapist and professor Jim Hopper, PhD.
Memories of Childhood Abuse: Dissociation, Amnesia, and Corroboration
This study investigated the relationship between self-reported childhood abuse and dissociative symptoms and amnesia. From the American Journal of Psychiatry.
PetitionOnline.com: Funding for More Research & Education on DID/MPD
The controversy among consumers, journalists, health and mental health care professionals etc over the diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder makes at least one thing clear: too much remains unknown. This link goes to an online petition for additional funding to study DID. The petition is directed to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the research and education division of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
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4 & 20
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MPD/DID Information Pages
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Not One Alone: Halieus Sungago
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๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑ Support ๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑๑
Abuse Survivors with MPD or DID
alt.support.dissociation
Alumbo! Multiple Personality Community
Amongst Ourselves
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Depersonalization.info
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MedHelp.org: Multiple PersonalityForum
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PsychForums.com: Dissociative Disorders
Shattered Mirrors
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Soul's Self-Help Central
The Other List
Women of Worth
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CARE, Inc
A non-profit organization reflecting Christian values and beliefs, ministering to survivors of ritualistic abuse, particularly survivors with DID. Offers advocacy, lots of articles and a resource page.
Depersonalization.INFO
An independent, non-profit discussion site that serves as an excellent repository for information about Depersonalization Disorder and depersonalization as a symptom of other conditions.
Dissociation.com
An interesting site created by Dr Ralph Allison, a retired forensic psychiatrist treating "dissociators" since 1972 and Marie McKenize, who- before reintegrating- was diagnosed with a total of 70 alter-personalities. Together, consumer and therapist share their wealth of experience for both professionals and consumers contending with this disorder.
Dissociative Identity Disorder Patient Blogs
The Dissociative Identity Disorder Channel is part of the Health Diaries network. Health Diaries publishes blogs, articles, and news on health and fitness.
DPSelfHelp.Com Depersonalization Community
An internet resource for those suffering from Depersonalization and/or Derealization. This comprehensive site has a diverse membership and offers consumers a discussion forum with extensive archived entries, a chat-room, member's personal stories, links to related websites, and more. Register (no charge) and post to exchange support and information.
European Society for Trauma & Dissociation
The ESTD's mission is to increase knowledge of Trauma, Dissociation and all disorders related to chronic traumatization. The ESTD specifically serves European countries without easy access to information and clinical expertise.
International Society for the Study of Dissociation
Web page for the ISSD, with treatment guidelines and other information relating to dissociation and DID. Includes information on finding a therapist to work with.
Many Voices
Since 1989, Many Voices has offered a forum where thousands of recovering persons share ways they use to heal from tragic physical, sexual, and emotional assaults. Their aim is to deal more effectively with professional helpers and loved ones, work past pain and reshape their own lives.
Mosaic Minds
Mosaic Minds is a primarily internet based organization founded in 1999 by a group of dissociative survivors and their loved ones. They seeks to provide an online clearinghouse of information for those whose lives are impacted by the more extreme form of dissociation called "Dissociative Identity Disorder" (DID), formerly called "Multiple Personality Disorder" (MPD).
Multiplicity, Abuse & Healing Network
The MAH Network is an informational and peer-support site that focuses on dissociation, abuse, and healing. It is also easily the best site there is, professionally-created or otherwise, when seeking information about not only Dissociative Identity but about the traumatic effects of abuse and resources which concern recovery. Easily navigable, tirelessly researched and simply executed, it is as user-friendly as it is inclusive. Bookmark MAH Net and refer to it again and again.
NEEDID Support Network
NEEDID is the award-winning Network to Explore and Express Dissociative Identity Disorder & other trauma related Dissociative Disorders. They offer a mailing list to keep members informed and updated, a humor page, reading room, artwork and links to other sites.
RealMentalHealth.com: DID
RealMentalHealth.com is the first social networking site focusing on mental health treatment and wellness. The online community includes individuals, their family members, loved ones and friends who want to easily and interactively obtain knowledge about symptoms and treatments in a supportive community environment. Free membership to their online community features include weblogging, video, personal stories, a free support newsletter, online chat, bulletin boards and articles.
Sidran Traumatic Stress Foundation
A non-profit organization and publisher with on-line brochures and articles about DID and other trauma-related disorders, diagnostic materials that are available at cost, and training programs. Their website and published materials offer some of the best, easiest to read and most varied writing available anywhere on these topics. Books can be ordered online.
Suite 101.com: Mutiple Personality
Edited by Pamela Perez, the MPD/DID section of Suite101 features a monthly column, a topical discussion forum and a sizeable archive of writing from previous contribtuors on many aspects of this oft-misunderstood dissociative disorder.
SOSA: Survivors of Spiritual Abuse
SOSA reaches out to those who have been abused by either clergy or perpetrators who used religious dogma as part of their abusive behavior. Though open to all survivors, the site places its emphasis on those who developed Dissociative Identity Disorder to survive. SOSA's site includes survivors' creative endeavors in poetry, art & prose. SOSA' also has an online a support network, a list of recommended books, facts about abuse and a message board. |
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