Cadence returns to share some information about her very first self-produced documentary about us as a physically able individual with invisible illnesses. She also outlines the structure of the podcast and the aim that it is trying to achieve. The link of the documentary is here.
Apologies for the sound quality issue, as we no longer have our previous podcasting platform and we were using our old mobile phone. We mainly want to direct our podcast audience into the documentary that Cadence produced in May 2024. We admit that’s neglectful of us and we feel sorry for you guys, but this is unfortunately a part of dissociative amnesia. 😓
Thank you for your patience while we have our 2-year hiatus. We have been rearranging the DIDebunk and we were pulled in various directions in life, but we are now coming back to focus on the podcast once again. The next episode [Series 1 Episode 25: Partial DID] will be published in August 2025.
We can’t wait to interact with our audience and get to know all of you! If you would like to stay in touch with us, please contact us anytime! We will answer your messages as soon as possible!
Note: We are not mental health professionals. We are only sharing our own personal experiences in the 5 bonuses. Please take care of yourself while listening.
Veritas talks about overt and covert representations of DID and OSDD-1, as well as the nuances and logistics that come with it.
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for qualified assistance. Please take good care of yourself while you listen to this podcast.
Additional Resources
DID/OSDD-1 Presentation by DID Research Organisation
Overt vs Covert Identities by MultiplicityAndMe
Outdated but useful Psychological Article on Overt vs Covert Representation
Overt vs Covert DID and Debates on Covert Statistics
Images Credit: Images on Google Search and Edits in a Collage
Onnida is back to DIDebunk for the first time in 22 episodes to share about internal and external forms of communication which alters in the same system may employ.
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for qualified assistance. Please take good care of yourself while you listen to this podcast.
Additional Resources
Communicating with Alters: Part 1 - External by DissociaDID
Communicating with Alters: Part 2 - Internal by DissociaDID
"Why is my internal communication (in DID or OSDD) not working?" by CTAD Clinic
Developing communication in DID or OSDD through understanding alters by CTAD Clinic
Image credits: Google Search
Jenessa returns for a new episode about systems interacting with the real world. She talks about singlets, singletsonas, system responsibility, and masking in the DID and OSDD-1 context.
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for qualified assistance. Please take good care of yourself while you listen to this podcast.
Additional Resources
Masking and Unmasking by DissociaDID
Masking in Dissociative Identity Disorder with P1nk by The Law System
System Responsibility in Dissociative Identity Disorder by MultiplicityAndMe
System Responsibility | Dissociative Identity Disorder by Evie's Small World
Definitions by Black in Dissociative Galaxy Discord server:
Singlet: A Singlet is a person with only one and unique identity. A singlet is the opposite of someone plural. Singlets can also have extreme mood swings due to other disorders, but it isn't being plural: even if controlled by the emotion, per se, they are still in the control of their body. They can also be affected by dissociative disorders. Singlets can also experience different parts of self. But that doesn't inherently mean that they have DID. Parts of self are utilized for example in IFS therapy. Not everyone with parts has DID/OSDD-1. There is big difference between parts in Internal Family Systems and alters in DID! So, if you're a questioning system, keep this in mind. Only a professional can give you a final answer.
Outer World: For the alters who live inside the body, the "real" world is what they may call the Outside world. Some systems will also use the word "being out" instead of the word fronting. Definition of Singletsona by Clayre Sessoms: Singletsona refers to a Singular Persona in a Plural System. A ‘singletsona’ is an intriguing concept within the realm of plurality. It denotes a persona that a plural system may adopt when interacting with the world as a single entity. However, it’s critical to understand that a singletsona is a façade or role undertaken by a plural system and doesn’t diminish or erase their plural identity.
Happy Lunar New Year everybody! Here is some information about the most important Chinese festival of the entire year! In case you don't know, Lunar New Year is celebrated in other countries like Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Vietnam, but in different ways than the Chinese does! I am a Cantonese Chinese who's grown up celebrating this festival with my family, and I want to share this with you guys!
Historical details in the Origins of Chinese New Year by China Highlights
Chinese New Year 2019 Lion Dance (popular in the festival) in Hong Kong by Asia HOT
Festival customs in Hong Kong's Chinese New Year: plants, clothing, red packets, and food
Annual Lunar New Year Fair 2024 in Mong Kok Flower Market, Hong Kong by MJtravelover
Comparisons between Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese New Year by Cool History Bros
Image Credits: Google Images
Laeticia returns to DIDebunk to explain about blurring and blending: two common states in systems, as well as the indicators that DID and OSDD-1 members use to show that. Edit: Blendiness is not a real word. It was made up on the spot and was detected after the recordings were completed. Sorry about that. Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for qualified assistance. Please take good care of yourself while you listen to this podcast. Additional Resources:
Dealing with Blurriness in Dissociative Identity Disorder by Multiplicity And Me
When Alters Blend by The Entropy System
Quoted definitions from Dissociative Galaxy Discord server, written by Black:
Blurring is usually a general identity confusion between the various alters who may be close to the front. It might also happen if the system is more dissociated due to triggers or too many alters are in front. Blending occurs when two or more alters get too close together and temporarily become "one". The cause for blending usually is that both of the alters are actively needed in front, or that some good integration has happened, and they are more capable of sharing the body. The result might have its own temporary name and share abilities of alters that are currently blended. Blending is a temporary process, if it is not and stays this way, then we could talk about fusion.
Image credits: Google images of blurriness
Sapphire presents her favourite community terminology -- dormancy -- and explains its meaning.
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for qualified assistance. Please take good care of yourself while you listen to this podcast.
Additional links
Dormant Alters by Learn about DID
Dormancy: Can Alters Die? by Lemon and Lively
What is Dormancy in DID and Alter Switch Caught on Camera by Power to the Plurals
Dormant Alters by Dissociative Identity Disorder in a Nutshell
Image credits: One of the many sleeping human cartoon pictures on Ecosia search
Sapphire presents an episode on pseudomemories in the DID and OSDD-1 context and compares it with false memories by researching on community information and scientific articles.
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for qualified assistance. Please take good care of yourself while you listen to this podcast.
References in this episode:
False Memory: What You Need to Know by Healthline
How False Memories are Formed in Your Brain by Very Well Mind
False Memory in Psychology: Example & More by Simply Psychology
Case study: Max's Pseudomemories from Mage System
System community definition: Pseudomemories
Personal experiences: Axel talks about Pseudomemories from Acrylic and Aether
Quoting from Dissociative Galaxy Discord server: Definitions written by Black
Pseudomemory is also known as "non-body memory", something which didn't happen to the body but that the alter can remember as if it really happened. The cause may be diverse. The most common ones with systems are memories from very realistic dreams or from an alter's "past", a memory created by the brain to give the alter a fuller identity or from an introjected source. Commonly it forms as a metaphor or cover up for existing body trauma memory, which the system wouldn't really be able to fully process or deal with. For introjects, who split to deal with certain body trauma, it's common to have a background source story that somehow represents the body trauma and therefore they take on the feelings coming from said trauma. Pseudo-memories can simply be there and not affecting the person/alter. But they can also be traumatic and create a PTSD response if triggered. So, it is important to not invalidate anyone who may have pseudo-memories, as for them, it is as real as reality can be. It is important to allow emotional and trauma processing to happen even with pseudo memories, since, as mentioned above, they are very likely to be active representation of body memory and their processing can prepare the system to deal with body trauma. It is also important for introjects to learn how to separate themselves from their source. An introject isn't their source and they must keep this in mind themselves.
Image credits: Did that actually happen? – The Central Trend
Veritas talks about a highly demanded topic this week. She also describes generic trends she has noticed, and explains that inner world is not something that everyone with DID and OSDD-1 has.
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for qualified assistance. Please take good care of yourself while you listen to this podcast.
References:
Internal Worlds by DID Research Organisation
Inner World and Mindscapes by Power to the Plurals
Balancing the Outer World with the Inner World by CTAD Clinic Inner Worlds by DissociaDID
Image credits: What is Karma and How It Works ? (lifecoachcode.com)
Jenessa talks about passive influence in a short episode and shares some of her personal experiences with it.
Note: I am not a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Everything we say in this podcast is what works for us and the other people we know who claims what works for them. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for professional assistance. Please listen to this podcast at your own discretion and take good care of yourself.
For more information about passive influence:
DID Research.Org: Switching and Passive Influence
The Rings System: What is Passive Influence?
Special Notice
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! The evening of 29th September, 2023 is this year's date for its annual festivities. For summarised information about the festival's origin tale and cultural practices, click on this simple YouTube video at Mid Autumn Festival story and how Chinese celebrate it - YouTube . It is voiced in English, with English subtitles available!
Image art: DIDebunk
Aidana talks about the two definitions that co-consciousness can be interpreted by the DID/OSDD-1 community and the mental health professionals out there.
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything that we say on this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know who claims what works for them. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for professional assistance. Please listen to this podcast at your own discretion and take good care of yourself. Co-Consciousness Definitions:
1) Being close to the front without actively interacting with it, similar to watching a movie or eavesdropping a conversation
2) Two alters are aware of each other and can convey messages without direct obstacles in between them
Aidana and Troubleley explain the meanings and repercussions of fronting, co-fronting and being front stuck, which are three commonly used terms in the DID and OSDD-1 community.
Introduction, Fronting and Co-Fronting: Troubleley
Transition, Front Stuck and Conclusion: Aidana
Note: I am not a mental health professional. Everything that we say on this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know who claims what works for them. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for professional assistance. Please listen to this podcast at your own discretion and take good care of yourself.
Community Resources:
Fronting, Co-Fronting and Front Stuck from Dissociative Galaxy (a Discord server)
Image: lolcow.farm
Laeticia talks about the concept of switching, how switching can be experienced, and the factors that come into play.
Note: I am not a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Everything we say in this podcast is based on what works for us and the other people we know who claims what works for them. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for professional assistance. Please listen to this podcast at your own discretion and take good care of yourself.
Links for further learning: https://h-o-m-e.org/fronting-did/https://did-research.org/did/identity_alteration/switchinghttps://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/dissociativeliving/2018/6/about-alter-switching-in-dissociative-identity-disorderhttps://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/dissociativeliving/2019/10/forcing-an-alter-switch-in-dissociative-identity-disorderhttps://www.simplyneuroscience.org/post/dissociative-identity-disorder-and-its-impact-on-the-brainhttps://www.verywellhealth.com/dissociative-identity-disorder-switching-5212103
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeS_TaU-doc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6gK9NVq1lE
Community server: Dissociative Galaxy on Discord (App)
Image: DIDebunk
Sapphire returns to the podcast to discuss about ANPs and EPs, and the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary levels of structural dissociation.
Edit: The time of integration into the whole picture is 6-9 years old, not 9-12 years old.
Note: I am not a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Everything we say in this podcast is what works for us and the other people we know who claims what works for them. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for professional assistance. Please listen to this podcast at your own discretion and take good care of yourself.
Research Links for this Episode
Introduction to Structural Dissociation by CTAD Clinic
What is Structural Dissociation by Living Wellness Healing and Zen Centre
Structural Dissociation by DID Research Organisation
The Theory of Structural Dissociation of the Personality by Dissociatedaze
ANPs and EPs by DID Research Organisation
Understanding 'Parts' and their Treatment from a Structural Dissociation Perspective by EMDR Gateway
Dissociation, Depersonalisation and Derealisation: A Trio of Trouble by Trans4Nation
Photo Credits: Trans4Nation.Wordpress.com
Cadence shares about community knowledge of fragments (a two-dimensional alter) and polyfragmented systems (people with more than 100 alters).
Note: I am not a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Everything we say in this podcast is what works for us and the other people we know who claims what works for them. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for professional assistance. Please listen to this podcast at your own discretion and take good care of yourself.
Quotes from Dissociative Galaxy's Common Terms channel by Black:
Fragment is a less distinct part. Typically, they split for a "not so big" task or "not so long" situation. They usually hold one feeling or one task. Therefore, fragments will usually only have one purpose or will not be that defined of a part. They can also just be a memory, not a complete alter with an appearance or personal will. Commonly they also split for holding trauma memories, which no one in the system is capable of dealing with. If fragments form only to perform short-time tasks, it's common that they end up fusing after their "job" is finished.
Polyfragmentation: Polyfragmented DID, or also known as Complex DID, is another form of how a system can present. C-DID is not an official diagnosis but is more of system label modifier or specification. Common misinformation is that C-DID just means 100+ parts, which is not true. Most common parts of C-DID are:
— A large number of parts, alters, fragments.
— Layers / epochs: A system may tend to group people together by what stage of life they split in, and/or new sets of alters split to handle major changes in life situation ; each grouping system depends on each and every system.
— Presence of subsystems: Either or both of group and "system-in-system" subsystems.
— Weak non-dissociative defenses: Dissociation and/or escapism are a primary coping mechanism.
— Very active and/or complex headspaces.
— Complex splitting patterns: Multiple alters splitting from the same incident, or multiple over a short period of time.
— Pain-phobic orientation: "They can't handle that memory / remembering any trauma, I'm keeping them safe from it".
— Copy alters: Alters that are very similar to the people they split off.
— A fairly small group of primary fronters, with other fronters coming around as needed.
— More frequent coconsciousness or passive influence.
You don't have to have all of these to be considered polyfragmented/complex, but if you experience a lot of them it's worth looking into.
It's important to add that you can experience those without being polyfragmented.
Image Credit: Dissociative Identity Disorder in TheMighty.com