Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Dissociation: A First Step Towards Understanding
Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Dissociation
This post offers an introduction to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and dissociation, aiming to bridge common misunderstandings. DID is often misrepresented, so here it’s explored as a natural response to trauma rather than solely a “disorder.” Looking at DID through this lens can reveal people's remarkable resilience in their healing journeys. Each experience with DID brings unique insights that deepen our understanding of recovery, and growth.
* This post will focus on Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and dissociation more generally. It will not cover other dissociative disorders, such as OSDD (refer to the Spring blog in the suggested readings) or DPDR (see Dr. Simeon’s book). However, the resources below are a great place to learn more about all aspects and experiences of dissociation.
What is Dissociation?
“Dissociation is about the small stuff, about the little curls of experience that are visible if we look, but often go unnoticed in their routine presence.”
“Dissociation is numbness and nothingness; it is a feeling of being lost; it is floating on a cloud that threatens to suffocate; it is automatic speech and action without awareness or control; it is looking at the world and blinking to try to remove the blurry fog; it is hearing and seeing the immediate world and simultaneously feeling very far away; it is raw fear; it is unfamiliarity in familiar places; it is possession; it is being haunted everyday by unknown monsters that can be felt but not seen (at least not by others); it is looking in the mirror and not knowing who is looking back; it is fantasy and imagination; and, above all else, it is survival. Dissociation is all of these things and none of them at once.”
Dissociation is often misunderstood, yet it’s something everyone experiences. Think of the times you’ve been absorbed in a book, lost track of time, or drifted off in thought while waiting in line. That’s dissociation—a natural part of everyday life. It’s the mind’s way of creating distance between experiences, which can be helpful, especially in overwhelming situations.
Many people do not realize that dissociation exists on a spectrum, ranging from everyday occurrences like daydreams to more complex responses such as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). A spectrum reflects the flexible and changing nature of dissociation. DID was previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder until 1994, when the name was changed to reflect a better understanding of the condition. DID often results from intense trauma experienced early in life and serves as a way to cope.
Traumatic dissociation and DID
When someone endures overwhelming trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or violence, dissociation becomes a psychological safety net. It’s the mind’s way of protecting itself from the full impact of the traumatic event. Traumatic dissociation can cause a sense of detachment from one’s body, emotions, or surroundings. This might involve memory gaps, feelings of numbness, or an altered perception of reality. For some, this protective response is so intense that it leads to DID.
What is DID?
The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) defines DID as a condition in which a person has two or more distinct identities, often called “parts” or “alters,” that together form “a system.”
Some alters remain acutely aware of the trauma, constantly guarding against it, while others engage in daily activities without the weight of that awareness.
For those with DID, memory gaps may arise—not as occasional forgetfulness but as part of how they’ve adapted to managing overwhelming experiences (Purcell et al., 2024). This reflects a person's resilience in coping with complex past events, even though it can sometimes disrupt their present-day orientation or ability to connect with people.
How are DID “Parts” different?
Everyone carries different aspects of who they are. In DID, alters may not always know each other, and shifts between them can sometimes be sudden, but more often, the shifts are subtle.
Sometimes, people with DID are aware of alter switches. A state called co-consciousness occurs when multiple alters are simultaneously aware. In this state, alters can be mindful of one another and their surroundings, with differing levels of control. For instance, some individuals with DID describe being able to hear their other alters.
Overall, alters emerge to help the system manage intense experiences. One alter may not recall the actions or experiences of another alter. Some alters carry specific memories to protect the rest of the system, while others maintain daily routines. Together, different alters support the system’s survival and adaptation.
Understanding that alters can differ in awareness, relationships, and perspectives is essential for system understanding and healing. This understanding creates a supportive environment where everyone in the system can get to know one another better and feel safer internally.
Why Understanding DID Matters
DID is often overlooked because its dissociative nature shields it from immediate recognition. The child develops DID to protect their psyche. As adults, people with DID frequently show no visible signs of trauma, as their minds may shield them from conscious awareness of trauma.
Those living with DID may not always realize or remember what is happening to them and may also struggle with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, bodily disturbances, or other co-occurring conditions. Therapists may focus on treating these symptoms without recognizing the underlying dissociative. This can go on for many years, sometimes an entire lifetime.
DID, by its nature, involves hiding, making it difficult for individuals to accept and for therapists to identify. Though traditionally viewed as rare, research suggests DID is more common than once thought, with 1.5% prevalence rate in the adult population (Brand et al., 2016; Purcell et al., 2024). When seen as rare, it is not studied or understood, leading to delays in recognition and treatment (Brand et al., 2016). This highlights the need for better awareness and understanding.
DID doesn’t always present in the same way, and symptoms may shift depending on a person’s stressors (Kluft, 1991). This can make it hard for others to recognize or understand what's happening. However, when we view DID as an adaptive response to overwhelming experiences, it becomes clear that the mind's flexibility is at play.
The shifts in identity and behavior are ways the system adapts to changing internal and external environments, helping the person cope in the moment. Even if the changes seem confusing to outsiders, there's a unique internal logic that makes perfect sense within the system of someone living with DID. This fluid, adaptive nature has often allowed the person to survive and function despite overwhelming experiences.
Conclusion
I hope this provides a helpful introduction to DID and dissociation. To learn more, visit my resource page, where you'll find valuable websites focusing on dissociation and links to communities that share lived experiences. I have also included a couple of recommended books, videos, podcasts, and articles below. If you’d like more personalized support, please reach out—I specialize in working with trauma and dissociation and I am here to help.
References:
Chefetz, R. A. (2015). Intensive Psychotherapy for Persistent Dissociative Processes: The Fear of Feeling Real. W.W. Norton.
Hunter, N. (n.d.). Facing the past: Dissociation and 'serious mental illness'. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://www.noelrhunter.com/blogs/dissociation-serious-mental-illness/
Suggested resources to learn more:
The Healing Trauma Podcast, (2023) Dissociation Identity Disorder From a Lived Perspective with Adrian Fletcher, MA, Psy.D (video). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJPX4B0M7MA
Hunter, N. (n.d.). Trauma, psychosis, and dissociation: Understanding the connections. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://www.noelrhunter.com/blogs/trauma-psychosis-dissociation/
Los Angeles Times. (2023, October 31). Dissociative identity disorder is distressing and stigmatized. It's also a brilliant adaptive coping mechanism. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/newsletter/2023-10-31/dissociative-identity-disorder-is-distressing-and-stigmatized-its-also-a-brilliant-adaptive-coping-mechanism-group-therapy
Spring, C. (n.d.). DID or OSDD—Does it matter? Carolyn Spring. Retrieved Nov 25, 2024, from https://www.carolynspring.com/blog/did-or-osdd-does-it-matter/
Steinberg, M., & Schnall, M. (2001). The Stranger in the Mirror. Harper Perennial
