Dissociation

Dissociation and PTSD are strongly related responses to trauma. They are often experienced and diagnosed together. It would be highly unlikely to have a diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or OSDD without having a PTSD diagnosis. Dissociative symptoms and experiences are very common in…

Myth: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) & Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD) are extremely rare. Fact: Worldwide, about 1.1% of people meet criteria for DID. According to the DSM 5, the prevalence of DID is higher than OCD. Myth: DID is made up by clients or…

As EMDR therapists we are significantly more likely to cause harm when we don’t know if a client has a DID/OSDD Without the proper precautions, use of BLS/DAS can result in: Breaking through dissociative barriers Loss of dual awareness and flooding Regression, decompensation, self/other harm…

People with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID or OSDD) often go through years of treatment without getting properly diagnosed. According to research, it takes 6-12 years in the mental health system before someone is diagnosed correctly with DID. This is because of the lack of knowledge…

Dissociation is not a bad word nor an inherently bad coping strategy. The fact that you or your client continue to dissociate during therapy or as you are healing does not mean you are failing. It simply means that dissociation remains a powerful and available…

If you are an EMDR clinician or trauma therapist, dissociation is already in the room with you. According to the DSM 5 DID has a higher prevalence rate than OCD! So, it’s incredibly important that you are assessing for dissociation with every client. Otherwise we…