MARCH 5.   DID AWARENESS DAY.

This is a big day around here. This Discussing Dissociation blog, all the DD Forums, (DDCF, DDEF, SSPA), the thousands of readers here, my 30+ year career, every email Laura writes, and everything we do here at DD is all about DID.  Dissociative Identity Disorder.  WE are very aware of DID. 

Awareness involves talking, and increasing awareness involves talking openly to lots of different people.

Around here, we talk, talk, talk, talk, and talk some more about DID and all the complexities surrounding it.

I’m fully aware that most dissociative trauma survivors have heaps of “no talk” rules, but we constantly work at busting those old rules.  We make it totally okay and genuinely acceptable to talk about being dissociative.  It’s okay to talk about having inside parts.  It’s okay to let your inside parts talk.  It’s okay to talk about switching, time confusion, amnesia, body memories, complicated histories, weird families, helpful pets, good days, horrible days, internal noise, system cooperation, changing the rules, corrective experiences, re-traumatizing experiences, grieving, losses, making changes, meeting new insiders, changing the internal landscape, etc. etc. etc.  The list goes on and on and on.

Here at DD, WE talk about every topic you can think of that is related to DID.  The forums already have over 75,000 posts.  WE talk a LOT about every subject under the sun.  I think that’s awesome.  It’s crucial and important to have the freedom to say whatever you need to say.  What a nice change from all the no-talk rules created by abusers!

Being fully aware of your dissociation and its impact on your life is essential for your healing.

Today, just to prove the point that it’s okay to talk openly about DID Awareness, we’re having a Group Zoom with the DD Forum members.

We had such a fabulous time meeting each other over Zoom at the P4 DID Conference, that we’ve decided to have more Zoom chats where we can get to know each other, and talk openly about how DID. 

Today, is one of those days where we are AWARE that it’s a good day to talk about DID.

What are YOU doing for DID Awareness Day?

Do you have a plan of action today?

Are you helping the world to become more aware of the truth about DID?

Sadly, even years and years after the DID diagnosis has been officially recognized, there is soooooo much misinformation out there.  It’s hard to imagine that people still don’t know, but it’s true… all too many survivors, and even to this day, far too many Mental Health Professionals are not adequately informed or taught about dissociation.   We hear still hear how dissociative survivors don’t have enough trained or qualified therapeutic support.  It’s tragic to hear these stories of genuine need.  MORE clinicians and more support options need to be available around the world!

Bit by bit, more and more of us are teaching the world the truths about dissociation.  We do need more folks to know about healing, safety, system work, and internal cooperation.  These are achievable goals!  

Are you able to speak out?  Are you willing to learn more?

How about passing information to someone, even if you do this quietly?  

Please feel free to share the links for Discussing Dissociation with anyone you know.

Encourage them to get the free eBook:   101+ Ways to See DID – Dissociative Identity Disorder Described.   If you don’t know how to get your own free copy of that eBook, please contact Alex  for assistance with that. 

Encourage DID survivors and/or spouses to join the forums.  Support, learning, community, and friendships are available for you.  There is much to learn, and much available TO learn.

ANNOUNCING: 

ZOOM GROUPS for MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE STARTING SOON

In order to spread the truth about DID, and to increase DID Awareness more than just today, we have a plan.  We’ve been thinking about this since P4 days, and now is the time to get started.

YES, Discussing Dissociation will start hosting regular Zoom Meetings for mental health professionals. 

These Zoom Meetings will be a place for you to ask Kathy and Laura questions about working with DID, a place to explore ways to address system concerns, a platform to problem-solve ways to approach complicated situations.  Wondering how to help your DID folks?  You’ve found a place to get your questions answered.

• Do you want to know how to better serve your dissociative clients?
• Do you want to learn how to better address dissociative concerns?
• Do you need to learn how to recognize DID in your clients?
• Do you need help talking to the system?
• Do you need someone with solid clinical experience with the dissociative population to lead the way for you?

If you are interested in joining these Zoom Meetings for Mental Health Professionals, please contact Alex  for more information.   

The more qualified, informed, open-minded DID therapists we have, the greater the impact we can have around the world.  I can’t do it all by myself.  The dissociative population needs clinicians EVERYWHERE who can help them.  Increasing YOUR DID AWARENESS on a clinical level is critical and essential.  Let’s ripple further and further out to be able to help more and more survivors in their healing journey. 

I have lots to teach….  I hope you are willing to learn.

In the meantime… I hope you enjoy your day. 

I hope you speak out somewhere.

I hope you DO something to increase DID Awareness today.  WE can make the stigma change.  WE can put the truth out there.  WE can get the genuine info out there.  WE can fight the misinformation.  WE can make a difference.

Let’s join together and make an impact in what the world hears and sees about the truth of DID.   

Thanks for reading here at Discussing Dissociation, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Oh, and of course, I wish you and you and you the very very best on your dissociative healing journey.

Warmly, 

Kathy

Copyright © 2008-2022 Kathy Broady MSW and Discussing Dissociation