I’ve found these things useful on my journey to understand and adapt to living with a dissociative disorder. I won’t list anything that doesn’t actually help me, but if you’ve got a resource I should check out, I’ll try (almost) anything! Hit me up on your social media platform of choice.
Apps
“PTSD Coach”, by the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), free on Andriod and iTunes.
PTSD Coach was designed for Veterans and military Service members who have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Tools range from panic stoppers, relaxation skills and positive self-talk to anger management and other common self-help strategies. Users can customize tools based on their preferences and can integrate their own contacts, photos, and music.
Trauma and Healing Books – DID Specific
A patient-oriented manual for complex trauma survivors. This training manual for patients who have a trauma-related dissociative disorder includes short educational pieces, homework sheets, and exercises that address ways in which dissociation interferes with essential emotional and life skills, and support inner communication and collaboration with dissociative parts of the personality. Topics include understanding dissociation and PTSD, using inner reflection, emotion regulation, coping with dissociative problems related to triggers and traumatic memories, resolving sleep problems related to dissociation, coping with relational difficulties, and help with many other difficulties with daily life. The manual can be used in individual therapy or structured groups.
Note: The PuppyDeathFarts team give this book a rating of “5 Farts out of 5”. It’s emotionally painful to read but it’s the book you need if you’re trying to deal with your condition.
Trauma and Healing Books – CPTSD, Anxiety, etc.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma. Many survivors grow up in houses that are not homes – in families that are as loveless as orphanages and sometimes as dangerous. If you felt unwanted, disliked, rejected, hated and/or despised for a lengthy portion of your childhood, trauma may be deeply ingrained in your mind, soul and body.
This book is a practical, user-friendly self-help guide to recovering from the lingering effects of childhood trauma.
Lisa concisely explains the link between trauma and addiction, and presents science-based self-help strategies that you can use no matter where you are in your recovery. Every chapter features inspiring words from people who have “been there,” plus carefully designed reflection questions, exercises, and other practical tools.
Mental health professionals should also check out Lisa’s Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse. It presents an evidence-based treatment approach developed specifically for PTSD and substance abuse.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
Important reading for anyone interested in understanding traumatic stress and it’s measurable effects on the body and mind. He explores how treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga— offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Less ‘workbooky’ than the others.
DID Facts & Research
This is a fantastic online resource about the current scientific explanation for dissociative disorders, the Theory of Structural Dissociation.
Healthy Coping for Free
Yoga with Adriene is free, she’s sweet and very likeable, and her dog is cute.
Learn to Draw or watch Bob Ross do it for you.
100 Art Therapy Exercises, zero skill required! Paint your feels.
Support and Advice Online
Kati is a licensed therapist who produces short mental health videos. She’s covered a huge range of mental health topics, her explanations are clear, and her advice for patients is outstanding. Mental health can seem scary from the outside; Kati’s videos are a great glimpse into the real world of therapy and healing.
A non profit; their supply of advice for survivors and loved ones is a solid place to start.
Multiple studies have shown suicide is common among people with dissociative identity disorder. 75% or higher have tried, at least once. You’re not alone.
Organizations and Advocates
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
European Society for Trauma and Dissociation
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Memoirs
Diagnostic Criteria
The ICD-10 Classification of mental and behavioural disorders– Diagnostic criteria used worldwide.
ICD-11 section 6B6 – Dissociative disorders – Updated version, theoretically going out in 2019.