¶ About this wiki
This wiki is part of the dissociative.cafe project. While the cafe aims to be more polished, the wiki is an active collaborative space. It may include first or incomplete drafts of content and will be pretty fluid in its design. Information from the wiki will be added to the cafe's knowledge base as it matures, but the latest content will usually be seen here first.
We aim to sort through piles of videos and websites to give you the most valuable data as well as to provide original content. No account is required to view any part of the wiki. You may log in with your discord account to leave comments and take place in discussions. If you don't have a discord account, you can also register for a local dissociative.wiki account. If you'd like to become a wiki editor, please get in touch with us.
None of us are mental health professionals. This is just a reference to content we've found especially useful or enlightening on our journeys.
This wiki is still being built. While it is open to the public, much of it is in a rough, incomplete form. Please be aware of this as you explore the site. It is still under construction. Things will be changing and moving around a lot. New content is added regularly.
¶ Dissociation Broken Down
Dissociation is commonly broken down into five distinct types: Depersonalization (feeling a loss of identity; feeling like none of your thoughts or feelings belong to you), Derealization (a feeling that your surroundings are not real), Amnesia (partial or total memory loss), Identity Confusion (uncertainty of who you are), and Identity Alteration (being notably different from a different part of yourself). Each of these unique types of dissociation can be experienced on a spectrum from the daily dissociative experiences that everyone goes through to disordered dissociation that is rare and usually comes from intense and often traumatic experiences. Those traumatic experiences cause these:
Keep in mind while exploring this wiki and any other content that these are under-researched disorders and that studies are consistently being updated. Data is constantly changing, so you may find different information in different places. It's important to listen to it all to understand the whole picture. Try not to view it as conflicting information but as evolving understanding.
USEFUL RESOURCE BEFORE DIVING IN: Dissociative Dictionary: The world of dissociative disorders has developed many special terms and phrases. Refer here if you come across a term you don't recognize or if you wish to better understand the language of these disorders and communities.
¶ For Those with Dissociative Disorders
Whether or not you're newly diagnosed or have been dealing with dissociation for decades, there is always more to learn and think about.
Co-morbid Conditions: Information about other disorders that often come alongside dissociative disorders (i.e., PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc.)
DID/OSDD Survival Guide: Tips and tricks for living with DID/OSDD. Communication techniques, coming to terms with the diagnosis, grounding techniques, etc.
Tips for when you're Triggered: A toolbelt of resources you can try out to see what works for you when you're triggered. Calm grounding strategies can be great for many, but some people will need more active techniques, so here we'll get into many options for you to look through (includes grounding techniques too!).
Relationships: How to have a healthy relationship, dissociation or not. This section covers everything from friendships to intimate relations.
Work: Having a dissociative disorder doesn't have to mean you'll be on disability for the rest of your life—career advice and resources.
How Trauma Affects the Body: Many with trauma will have physical symptoms. Here we will go into why that is, what sort of treatment paths can treat these symptoms, disorders that can come from this, resources, and more.
Trauma and Amnesia: From emotional amnesia to memories resurfacing, repressed trauma and living with the knowledge that you have repressed trauma is hard and complicated. Here are some resources and tips for coping with it.
Therapy Crowdsourcing: Reminder that we are not professionals - This is a place where we have gathered resources and information from different therapy techniques that can help people - especially those who might not currently have access to professional care. This is not a replacement for therapy, just sharing of techniques and strategies.
Tools for Systems: A collection of tools (apps, websites, etc.) that help some systems to organize their lives, help with amnesia, and more.
Talking about the ?? Experiences: If you have DID/OSDD you have likely dealt with something that has felt incredibly alien and isolating - like Emotional Bleedthrough. Here we'll talk about it and break it down. It's helpful both to understand these things and also to know you're not alone.
A Space for the Kids (Littles): If you have a dissociative disorder, you may have a wounded inner child (or several). This part of the site is dedicated to them.
System Responsibility: Accepting responsibility for the actions of others is hard to come to terms with, but it's essential for a system to learn. Learn about why and how to process this and work on system responsibility here.
Dealing With Drama: A community of mentally ill people will not always have healthy interactions and boundaries. Topics here will include setting your boundaries and respecting those of others, as well as how to defuse tense situations. This is not a place for the latest gossip.
¶ About Dissociative Disorders
How Does DID/OSDD Develop? A deep dive into how DID/OSDD develops (introducing you to the different theories considered by the psychological community over time).
The Gender Gap: A deep dive into who dissociative disorders affect and why and the reason for the gender gap. There are many men with dissociative disorders out there. And there's a reason there's a disproportionate level of women with these disorders.
How common are these disorders?: While much more research is needed for accurate, up-to-date numbers, we've done our best to compile studies to show the prevalence of these disorders.
All About Introjects (Fictives & Factives): Fictives and Factives are often a very sensationalized part of this disorder. Here we will break down misconceptions about them and provide basic information.
Mythbusting DID: There are many misconceptions and a lot of misinformation, disinformation, and outdated information out there regarding DID. Here we will go over these fallacies and give you the correct information.
¶ FAQ
FAQ about DID/OSDD: Frequently Asked Questions about DID/OSDD.
FAQ on Being an Ally to DID/OSDD Systems: Commonly asked questions or concerns people may have regarding whether things are appropriate to ask, how to best respond or assist in certain situations, and more.
FAQ About Therapy: Why is therapy important? What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist? Who diagnoses conditions? Here we answer these questions and more.
General FAQ: Questions that don't fit into the above categories. example: “What is the difference between PTSD and c-PTSD?”
¶ Treatment
Going Inpatient: Information that is good to know about inpatient facilities that can help you make informed decisions about checking yourself in, what to bring, what to expect, how to get the most out of the experience, and more.
Medication Station: Information on some of the medications people with dissociative disorders are often prescribed (often for co-morbidities).
Getting Professional Help - The Process: Finding a qualified mental health care worker can be challenging. Here are some links to help and recommendations on what kinds of therapy to try.
The Diagnostic Journey: Navigating a complicated medical system can feel impossible. Here are some helpful links, suggestions, and guides to ethics around the complex subject of self-diagnosis.
The Different Healing Goals for Systems: Information on the different goals a system can choose to pursue in their healing journey, as well as some history around the subject, changing terminology, and more.
¶ Resources for Survivors + Crisis Lines, and Information
Sadly, child abuse is the primary cause of severe dissociative disorders and is shockingly common.
Child Sexual Abuse: Resources for CSA survivors and content about healing from it.
Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse is not "less than" any other kind of abuse. It can leave lasting scars and is a real problem.
Physical Abuse: Love shouldn't hurt.
Religious Abuse: Resources for those abused through religion or church.
Ritual Abuse: Resources and education around abuse are done in any organized ceremonial way.
¶ The World of Media
Social Media is Not Always a Healthy Place. Protecting Yourself Online: In a community of people struggling with mental health issues and trauma, people are going to have problematic and toxic moments and behave in toxic ways. Here we go over tools and information on how to keep yourself safe and informed in a complex community full of vulnerable people. Tips on how not to develop uhealthy parasocial relationships, how to spot red flags, and more.
Blogs & Podcasts: Not everyone makes videos.
Posting Your Own Content: The internet can be unforgiving and a scary place to be vulnerable. If you're unsure whether making your own content is the right choice for you, here we will talk you through some pros and cons and things to keep in mind on the journey.
DID's Representation in Mainstream Media: From Split to Moon Knight to United States of Tara, we will break down how DID has been represented in the media (and how we'd like things to change in regard to our community's representation in the future).
¶ For Allies to Those With Dissociative Disorders
How to Be An Ally to Someone With DID/OSDD: How to be an educated and active supporter to those with dissociative disorders.
For Those in the Life of someone with a Dissociative Disorder: For friends, family members, romantic/sexual partners, professional caregivers, and more
¶ For Professionals
What We Wish Our Doctors & Therapists Understood
¶ About the Wiki Editors
dissociative.wiki is brought to you by the efforts of The Electric Circus (T-E-C) and braididbunch.