dissociative identity disoder1
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Dissociative Identity Disorder
The Link Between Child Abuse and D.I.D
11/2/2009
Group 12: Lesley Galindo, Dustin Larson, Kim McCullars and Travis Williams
Introduction. What is Dissociative Identity Disorder and how has it come to exist? The term
dissociation is the separating of self from reality. Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a
mental illness that is described as more than one personality or identity existing in one single
individual, where each individual has control of behavior at different times. The DSM IV has
certain criteria requirements that must be met for this diagnosis. One major requirement is that
the alternate personalities must routinely take over with memory loss of the prior personality.
The idea and concept of DID is controversial and not widely accepted by all in society. DID
typically exists in individuals who experienced repeated physical abuse early in life. The
disorder is a way of coping with the trauma that they experienced at a such a young stage in their
life. Further research indicates common themes and indications for this disorder. We will be
focusing on the role child abuse plays in causing DID.
History. DID was first evidenced back in the days of the cavemen, when Paleolithic drawings
in caves showed images of Shamans transforming into animals (Putnam, 1989). The first
individual actually credited with diagnosing and reporting DID as a disorder was Eberhardt
Gmelin in 1791 (Putnam, 1989). Gmelin referred to the disorder as exchanged personality or
double consciousness. DID has also been known as dual consciousness, alternating
personalities, multiple personalities and split personalty. The term Multiple Personality
Disorder (MPD) was widely used until the 1980's when the term Dissociative Identity Disorder
was listed in the DMV III. DID as defined in the DSM IV, states that temporary amnesia that is
not caused by any type of substance abuse and is not just simple 'forgetfulness' must be present.
It was believed in earlier history that DID was caused by demonic possesions within a
person's body. This was especially true prior to the 19th century. Experts such as priests and
theologins told society how to determine demonic possession in someone and how to exorcise
the spirit from the possessed individuals body (Carroll, 2003).
DID comes about in order to cope with overwhelming trauma experienced by the child.
This is a protective mechanism to shield the child and later the adult from pain. The repeated
experienced trauma is too intense to deal with emotionally, so the individual psyche creates
alters. The creation of alters is probably what enables these abused children survive. Alters is
the term used for the distinct different personalities and characters that are created. Each alter has
a specific need or job within the system. For the most part, repressed memories can not be
remembered without the alter(s). The individual, also known as the host, has stuffed the pain
and memories but when the alter comes out, the alter remembers the past trauma(s). Sometimes
alters collaborate with each other rather than existing solely as the only personality. Typically
the individual with DID is not aware that they are suffering from DID. They believe they are
going mad.
DID is not uncommon and occurs in other countries at about the same rate as it does in
the United States (Kluft 2003). it is more prevalent in women than it is in men. This may be due
to a higher percentage of female child abuse over male child abuse (Hill, 2001). Some well
known cases include Eve (aka Chris Sizemore), Sybill (aka Shirly K. Mason), Truddi Chase and
the fictional story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The individual can have a couple or few alters, or
many up to one hundred or more. These personalities are generally very different in nature and
can be different nationalities and ages. Some alters might be in need of glasses in order to see,
while the host might not be visually impaired. In addition to having male or female alters, a few
hosts also house animal alters. There are typically different types of alters, for instance, a
depressed alter, an aggressor, a helper, a hurt or scared child and persecutor or blamer. The levels
of differentiation between alters can be vague or distinct (Franklin, 1988).
Some additional characteristics in diagnosing DID are; an individual experiencing
abnormally long periods of time that an individual can not account for, the individual startles
easily, has nightmares, shows signs of depression and eating disorders, and also possibly
substance abuse. No one characteristic constitutes DID, but many or most of these aspects are
seen in the individual with DID.
Triggers. Triggers are usually something stressful that upsets and alter and causes the alter to
come out. This might include; certain sounds, certain smells, something someone says, a
particular object, seeing the abuser, being touched, having sex, loud noises, arguments or being
faced with making a decision. Different things will be triggers for different individuals with this
disorder. Sometimes several triggers will be required to bring about an alter. It is unique to each
individual.
Family Structure. An individual with DID needs to have a safe environment or at minimum, a
safe location in the environment. It is not a good idea for a person with the disorder to care for
others (Haddock, 1956). The person with DID needs to be taken care of and emotionally and
physically, or at the least be around others who can help calm them during times of stress when
alters may emerge. Relationships with those who have the disorder are challenging and
unpredictable. It is important to be aware of triggers and stress that might set off the individual.
Family and friends should be flexible, because one never knows when the individual with DID
will require assistance due to something setting them off. It is essential that those involved in the
life of a DID individual not minimize or ignore the dissociation and alters, but that they
acknowledge them. Ignoring or minimizing can bring shame to the individual with DID.
Families will want to have items available that can calm and distract the member with DID when
it appears they are becoming agitated. Headphones with music, crossword puzzles and other
items that bring comfort and distraction from stress are good tools to have available.
Family Communications. It is essential that family members build relationships on trust,
honesty and mutual respect. Clear boundaries are necessary and at times the boundaries need to
be reassessed (Haddock, 1956). Family members and friends also should not take on the role of
therapist. Family members need to be aware that switching is common and not predictable at all
times.
Lifespan Stages. Dissociative identity disorder is a strong response to psychological trauma. Its
most prominent feature is the presence of at least two personalities or identities that take over the
body. Many large epidemiological, some of which were conducted by Putnam, Guroff,
Silberman, Barban, Post, and Kluft, links dissociative identity disorder to various forms of child
abuse. Most patients are not diagnosed until their mid to late twenties. Dissociative identity
disorder starts as an adaptive function protecting the child from psychological trauma. The
reliance on these defenses creates problems in the course of development, interfering with social,
occupational, and familial relationships. Kluft (1993) noted in clinical observations that the
disorder grows more complex after childhood. During the twenties the symptoms become
elaborate and baroque. In the thirties it presents itself as a depressive state, before dissipating in
middle and late adulthood. Putnam and his contemporaries noted “a significant negative
correlation between the age of first appearance of an alter personality and the number of alter
personalities" (Putnam et al., 1986, p. 587). Allison and Schwartz (1980) found that when
children traumatized before the age of six had significantly increased disorganization and more
alters, while those traumatized after eight had less personalities and better ego strength. Children
with dissociative identity disorder could enter a developmental window that could make them
more vulnerable to create more personalities than other traumatized children. These alters may
not develop completely and will evolve and perhaps merge with dissociative states of
consciousness, before the personalities become distinct. Stern (1985) suggests that, during the
first 6 months of life the most critical task is developing their core self. Another reason that alters
develop is the lack of a comforting caregiver which causes the child to depend on the
dissociative defenses to help itself causing time, reality, and fantasy to become difficult to
differentiate.
Around the same time a child starts to use the dissociative defenses the child discovers
another way to protect itself by forming imaginary companions. Around one-third of children
between the ages of 2 and 10 develop such a companion. Sanders (1992) interviewed 14 DID
patients about their imaginary companions in childhood, seventy-eight percent said they were
still in contact with their companion. In Michael Pica’s model there are three different stages in
the development of dissociative identity disorder. Stage one is when a child moves into the
dissociative identity disorder developmental window. The important aspect of this stage is how
extensive the trauma is for the child. In stage two the companions take over for the child when
there is a significant threat or cause for anxiety. The type of trauma is also important. Stage two
begins when the child experiences trauma during the developmental window and ends with the
onset of adolescence. In stage three, “imaginary companions that have been "filling in" for the
child and merging with dissociated states of consciousness are transformed into distinct
personality states that have become invested in their separateness, and think of themselves as
autonomous entities (Pica, 1999).” By merging with dissociated states of consciousness the
companions become a separate personality that think they are autonomous and wish to stay
separate.
Treatment of dissociative identity disorder is easier when the individual is young because
alters have not become truly distinct separate identities from the original. Pica suggests that an
educative approach would help treat dissociative identity disorder, because some of the disorders
mystery will be removed.
Spirituality. There are many in the psychological field that believe that the inner self helper
(ISH), as part of the spiritual aspect of dissociative identity disorder. “The ISH is an entity within
the personality system that has transcendental and spiritual qualities. The ISH is often regarded
by the person with dissociative identity disorder as a separate entity rather than as a
psychological element of the person. It often has extensive or complete knowledge of the
person’s life history and internal world, while other personality states have limited knowledge.
The ISH is a source of inspiration, meaning, guidance, calm and spirituality that is drawn on
globally and through specific tasks and assignments during therapy. (Ellason, Ross, & Day,
2003)” The ISH can help soothe alters by using healing energy on the personality. It can also aid
the therapist by helping explain the organization and functions of the personalities contained
within the individual. Many psychologists believe that the ISH is a source of power, hope, and a
higher meaning which is unavailable to the other personalities. The data collected from Ellason,
Ross, and Day show that individuals with dissociative identity disorder have as much ego
resiliency as the comparison group of those who are in treatment for childhood trauma, but not
dissociative. Their egos may be more fragmented, but they have as much resiliency as those
whose egos are not fragmented. The dissociative identity disorder subjects have a higher overall
score on the Spiritual Orientation Inventory, thus suggesting that they are more spiritual. Many
of the subjects draw from the spiritual aspect of themselves. Those in the dissociative identity
disorder group may gain something from counseling from a spiritual leader. But the leaders must
not alarm the spiritual orientation of the individuals because they will be more vulnerable to the
effects.
As previously mentioned, there are many people in the world that believe that a person with
dissociative identity disorder are actually possessed. It is thought that each alter is actually a
demonic being inhabiting someone’s body. These people believe that the correct treatment for
the “possessed” is an excorcism. There s much debate over whether or not this is a viable
treatment for such an illness. In A phenomenological model of therapeutic exorcism for
dissociative identity disorder, Bull gives guidelines for an exorcism. The first of which, is that a
patient must be willing to undergo an exorcism and it should not be forced upon them. Therapists
should also work within the patient’s belief system. The therapist should explain the difference
between the spiritual view and the psychological view of what is occurring in the patient.
Therapists should find out if the patient believes in a higher power that is stronger than the
perceived power of the alter, this is normally God, Jesus Christ, or an angelic alter. The patient
then asks the higher power for help, which is a self-empowering act. The patient should then take
control of the demonic alter and may use the help of other alters in the process to collectively
subdue the problematic alter. The alter that is most connected to the demon must be willing to
part with it. From a Christian perspective this method is justifiable. Christian and non-Christian
psychologists agree that this form of therapy is useful because the religious aspect of a person’s
life is a powerful dimension of one’s life. Because of the different alters one of the most
problematic part of this therapy is getting full consent from each alter. “Exorcism is not a
substitute for good psychotherapy. Good Psychotherapy is still required for alters who need
cognitive restructuring and occasional processing of emotional aspects of their memories. (Bull,
2001).” Therapists must remember that while there are benefits for an exorcism in some of the
cases, they must also remember that there can be negative effects to the patient if not done
correctly. Even the therapists that are not spiritual can believe that using the patient’s spiritual
resources as part of their healing process.
Primary personalities are likely to strongly believe in God, but, have conflicted God
images that betray ambivalence about God. Secondary personalities are less likely to believe in,
or be strongly attatched to God, but they do have unambivalent God images that are either all
benign or all malignant. (Bowman, Coons, Jones, & Oldstrom, 1987).
Strengths. Victims of severe childhood sexual and physical abuse who developed DID did so as
a way of coping with the trauma, with personalities manifesting themselves in order to handle
with the horrific abuse while enabling the host to not recall abuse. DID in itself is a defense
mechanism the mind creates in order to protect the host from traumatic events. The alters vary
from victim to victim, some developing animal alters in addition to human alters. These alters
serve as a protective mechanism that shelters the victim from reliving or remembering past abuse
that they would otherwise not be able to deal with. Alters can be many, however, a handful of
alters seem present in most cases. This method of protection is indeed a strength of the disorder.
Alters can take on a variety of roles and personalities. The protective alter is one who is
present among victims as the internal caretaker to the host. Shirley Ardell Mason had Mary
Lucinda Saunders Dorsett, who often reminded her a bit of her grandmother. Truddi Chase had
Mean Joe, who protected all of the personalites, including Truddi. Mean Joe in particular
protected those alters who were most vulnerable (Chase, 1987). These protective alters offer
support and resilience.
A second alter most common among DID patients is the sophisticated personality, such
as Lady Catherine , Truddi’s alter (Chase, 1987) and Victoria Antionette Scharleau, Mason’s
alter. However, in the case of Mason, Victoria often acted as a protector and communicated
frequently with the doctor.
The child alter is also a common resident in the host. Child alters are undeveloped
personalities that often are known to retain most of the painful memories of past abuse. Truddi
Chase’s alter, Rabbit (Chase, 1987) and Shirley Ardell Mason’s (better known as Sybil Dorsett)
alter Ruthie Dorsett (Schreiber, 1973) are examples of child alters. The undeveloped child alter
absorbs the pain for the host to be able to cope and overcome the abuse, while the child alter, as
well as other alters, take in the pain for the host.
Frequently, when a victim has been diagnosed with DID, they begin undergoing
treatment in order to integrate all the personalities into one functioning being. This is done to
help the host overcome the trauma of past child abuse and to become a fully functioning
individual as well as to help them gain new found strength to cope with what were once
repressed memories retained solely by the alters. In some cases, however, a few hosts choose not
to integrate their personalities, such as Truddi Chase, a victim of severe physical and sexual
abuse at the hands of her mother and stepfather (Chase, 1987). She decided against integration,
feeling that her alters, whom she referred to as ‘The Troops’ were a vital part of her survival and
all functioned as a team, herself included, in order to become resilient and overcome the abuse.
Often, alters do work together to further protect the host from the possible harmful effects
from therapy. At times, the protective alters communicate directly with the therapist, suggesting
that the host remain uninformed of the diagnosis as it could possibly further harm the patient
(Schreiber, 1973; Hall & Steinberg, 1994)
Often throughout treatment, family members and loved ones are encouraged to act as co-
therapists as a means of further helping the victim overcome the abuse (Ross & Gahan, 1988).
The family members should not however act solely as a therapist. This inclusion of family
member could further aid in treatment and provide a support group to the host while they
undergo therapy. In addition, other coping mechanisms among alters includes art therapy, in
which one or two alters demonstrate artistic abilities, most oftentimes in the form of paintings
and drawings.
Challenges, Barriers, & Needs. While evidence of DID has been around as far back as the
Paleolithic period, there stands many challenges in the way of providing effective treatment for
those suffering from DID. First, is the issue of medical costs for treatment. While studies show
that health care costs decrease post diagnosis (Ross & Dua, 1993), many do not have the
financial means nor time to obtain proper treatment. Some patients take as little as 6-8 months of
treatment before they have successfully integrated all personalities or any other forms of
effective treatment, while others, such as Mason, took up to 11 years of treatment to integrate all
of her 16 personalities. Second, there is the controversy as to whether or not DID is a real
disorder, oftentimes remaining unrecognized as a real disorder among professionals
(Merckelback, 1998). This lack of consensus among professionals makes it difficult to provide
effective treatment and find professionals willing to help treat the disorder. Third, while the
prevalence of people with DID is relatively low, with the U.S. the highest number of DID
patients among the population at around 6%-10% (Foote, Smolin, Kaplan, Legatt, & Lipschitz,
2006) (Bliss & Jeppsen, 1985), the number is increasing and providing fewer social service
agencies to which DID patients can turn to. This may be due to ineligibilty to remain in a
schizophrenic group home, inablity to provide for themselves, their age, or not having a close
relative with whom they don't stand risk of further abuse (Ross & Gahan, 1988).
There are numerous barriers that stand in the way of effective treatment. For one, there is
the chance of interference of treatment caused by the alters, particularly the abuser alters and the
self-destructive alters, who might resist forming a treatment alliance and undermine the
therapist's attempts at integrating (Ross & Gahan, 1988). In addition, a self-destructive alter
might interfere with effective treatment by attempting to harm themselves, in turn harming the
host, such as the case of Mason's Marcia Dorsett personality, who on two instances attempted
suicide (Schreiber, 1973). Second, is the decision as to whether or not to inform the host that
they are suffering from DID. Often, it is not considered safe to tell host they have DID. The host
might lack the ability to cope with the knowledge of having developed DID and would thus
continue resisting assimilation of any knowledge of past abuse (Hall & Steinberg, 1994). In
addition, revealing to the host that he or she has DID too early in treatment could jeopardize the
therapy progress, or altogether damage the chance of effective treatment altogether. This is
particularly an issue if the problems might lie somewhere else (Chase, 1987). Third, most family
members lack sufficient training in dealing with such cases, such as switching alters, which
could cause further strain on the host and prolong treatment (Ross & Gahan, 1988). Fourth and
finally, is the alter's inability to recognize that the host and the alters themselves all share the
same body (Ross & Gahan, 1988).
Because of these barriers and challenges, several steps need to be taken to cater to the
needs of those living with DID. First, is a consensus among professionals to recognize DID as an
existing dissociative disorder. With this recognition, doors will open to provide opportunities for
further research in treatment methods and providing social services. Without it, research and
effective treatment options will remain as is. Being able to provide more ample research will
allow for the community to find a proper placement for those who cannot live on their own and
who haven't any close relatives. In addition, it will allow for families and friends to be given
proper training as co-therapists to better prepare them for unexpected switching between alters
and to bring out the desired alters when needed, as well as proper techniques when handling
difficult alters such as an infant or self-destructive alter.
Best Practices/Treatment. The primary goal of treatment for D.I.D. is to integrate all of the
alternative personalities into one all-encompassing personality. This is the standard goal of
treatment at this time. While there are other types of therapy for this disorder, the integration
technique is by far the most effective and produces the most stable patients who are less likely to
have a mental relapse. The integration technique is a series of five steps that helps the patient
slowly dismantle the walls that they have developed in their mind.
Before this 5-step program can begin, a bond must be formed between the therapist and
the patient. This process can be seen in all forms of therapy, but it is most important in therapy
for D.I.D. Establishing this bond can be very difficult because of the distrust that often-times
comes with the D.I.D. diagnosis. From childhood these individuals have had instilled in them a
cynical way of viewing the world which can make therapy very difficult. In some circumstances,
psychologists have been known to do some unorthodox gestures to show their commitment to the
patient. Most therapists would tell you not to lend money to your patients, but in some cases that
is just what is needed to show you care, and actions like this can be very effective in dealing with
D.I.D.
So what must first be done in order for therapy to be successful, is to help the patient
realize the existence of these alters, and to slowly facilitate a relationship between them. More
or less a meet-and-greet, just getting to know the other personalities. After this important initial
meeting is done, it is more important to understand the necessity for each alter. The therapist
must help the patient understand why each alter was erected and what purpose they serve. The
third step is probably the most important, and is the most helpful in preventing relapse of
symptoms. The therapist must teach the patient new coping strategies, and must help them reach
a place where they feel supported. This allows for the patients to tolerate their past traumatic
experience. It is important that the patient can feel safe in your office as well as in the real
world. To promote this confidence in them it is important to teach them new coping strategies,
and more importantly to help them realize that the real-world situations they deal with now are
different from the ones they experienced as children. Patients with D.I.D. are hyper vigilant and
see the world a bit differently and their view can be quite scary of the world they perceive. So it
is essential to show them that the world doesn’t have to be a scary place. Individuals with DID
need to be shown that they can be safe and deal with their problems in a healthy way. Most
patients with D.I.D. are self-mutilators. They cut themselves for the same reasons most do, as an
escape. D.I.D. patients use acting out in this way as a way to get themselves into a trance. It is
actually this self-hypnotic state that facilitated the acquisition of their altars. A therapist’s job is
to help them reach this state without self-mutilation, and to be productive not harmful. A lot of
therapy for D.I.D. patients is assisted with the use of hypnosis. This can allow for the patients to
reach out to their altars and communicate. It’s odd to think that the cure is derived from the
same place that the disorder originated. The difference is that the therapists guide the hypnotic
state in a positive direction, and if the situation gets intense the therapist can bring the person
out of this trance state.
After teaching them how to deal with their stress, it is time to confront them with the
stress that caused the disorder in the first place. The next step is to confront early traumas and to
try and find out why the walls between personalities were needed. This is a gradual process that
in some cases can take years to do, the therapists actually do very little here, they really just need
to listen. Patients with D.I.D. have so much to say because they have not confronted their issues
over a long span of time, years and years. The therapist is simply there to facilitate the patient
into their own realization of what has occurred and why. The last step is to help the patient
realize that the past is different from the present, and tools to make adaptive coping strategies.
This sounds similar to step three, and in some ways it is a reiteration. But, it is necessary
because now they are more comfortable with their past and are better able to deal with their
future. The most important aspect of this therapy is to make the individual a functioning
member of society, so it is not a bad idea to restate the ways in which to achieve this status. You
must change their mindset from “I am crazy and have these awful parts of myself and weird
symptoms” to “I am a normal person who was terribly abused and therefore understandably
developed extreme kinds of coping mechanisms.” That is the true focus for therapy for D.I.D.
Resource Inventory. The following list of information is provided to assist individuals with
DID, Professionals in the field and those that love and care for individuals with dissociative and
trauma disorders, to have avenues of support, effective treatment, and education of this disorder.
4Therapywww.4therapy.comDescription: Therapist locator. Information and articles about mental health.
Astrea’s Webhttp://www.astraeasweb.net/plural/Description: Multiple Personality Resources and Controversy
Center for Emotional Trauma Recovery at Lake CharlesLake Charles Community HospitalPO Box 908, Chelan, WA 98816Phone: 800-233-0045Description: short term inpatient program for people with posttraumatic and dissociative disorders.
Children of MultiplicityWeb Site: www.survivorship.orgDescription: site offers general information for multiples and focuses heavily on ritual abuse. Magazine also available on site.
Colin Ross Institute1701 Gateway, Suite 149, Richardson, TX 75080Phone: 972-918-9588 E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.rossinst.comDescription: Training videos for therapists along with current information on treatment of trauma.
David Baldwin’s Trauma Pageswww.trauma-pages.comDescription: Premier trauma site on the Web. Accurate and up to date information on issues related to trauma. Appropriate for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.
Dissociative Identity Disorder, Help me Help Othershttp://home.comcast.net/~riversrages/Description: site is to share ideas to cope with the variety of symptoms that we multiples contend with day in and day out.
Empty Memorieswww.utopis.knoware,nlgood information about trauma and dissociation. Available in Dutch and English
International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)60 Revere Drive, Suite 500, Northbrook, IL 60062Phone: 847-480-0899 Web Site: www.issd.orgDescription: ISSd is an organization for professionals in the field of dissociation. Information and therapy referrals to individuals seeking to deal with trauma and dissociation issues.
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)60 Revere Drive, Suite 500, Northbrook, IL 60062Phone: 847-480-0899 E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.istsds.orgDescription: professional organization as well as therapy referrals. Information on PTSD treatment guidelines.
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation8400 Westpark Drive, Second Floor, McLean, VA 22102 Telephone: 703/610-9037 Fax: 703/610-0234 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.isst-d.org/education/faq-dissociation.htmDescription: Educational site for individuals and professionals.
Life Healing CenterPO Box 6758, Santa Fe, NM 87502Phone: 800-989-7406 E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.life-healing.comDescription: residential facility specializing in the treatment of emotional trauma. The center is appropriate for clients needing an intense and structured therapy environment and for dissociative clients who require self management skills.
Master and Johnson Trauma UnitRiver Oaks Hospital, 1525 River Oaks Road WestNew Orleans, LA 70123 Phone: 800-366-1740Description: program offering individual, group, and expressive therapies as well as education that helps clients address strong emotions and maladaptive thinking and behavior styles that are trauma based. Addresses dissociation using a grief model.
McLean Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Program115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02487Phone: Dissociative disorders Partial Hospital Program: 617-855-2173Web Site: www.mcleanhospital.orgDescription: The Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Program at McLean Hospital treats adults with various difficulties related to past trauma. Emphasis is on the overall function of the individual.
NEEDED Supoort Networkwww.needid.bizland.comDescription: Resources for individuals who are dissociative as well as their significant others.
NEEDID Voices(For Individuals Healing from Dissociative Disorders and Their Supporters)NEEDID Support NetworkPO Box 784, South Hadley, MA 01075E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www. Needed.bizland.comDescription: Newsletter written by and for individuals with DID or other dissociative disorders as well as the support people in their lives.
Pat McLendon’s Clinical Social WorkWeb Site: www.clinicalsocialwork.comDescription: Array of information on topics ranging from abuse to addictions to therapy approaches to dissociation.
PILOTS DatabaseWeb Site: www.ncptsd.orgDescription: Extensive trauma database for therapists.
Sidran Foundation and Press200 East Joppa Road, Suite 207, Towson, MD 21286Phone: 410-825-8888 E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.sidran.org
Significant Other’s Guide to DIDwww.op.net/~jeff/sol.htmDescription: Information about being a partner to someone with DID.
Survivorship3181 Mission #139, San Francisco, CA 94110E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.survivorship.orgDescription: Informative magazine including focus on ritual abuse which is a trigger for many. Supplementary publication, “The Lifeboat” written especially for child parts. Magazine includes poetry, artwork, stories and activities.
Timberlawn Trauma Center4600 Samuell BoulevardDallas, TX 75228Phone: 800-426-4944Description: program that is dedicated to treatment of survivors of psychological trauma who have a trauma related disorder. Program offers both individual and group therapy,
including trauma education, cognitive therapy, role training and expressive activities. Also provides education for mental health professionals who treat trauma based disorders.
Trauma Center14 Fordham Road, Allston, MA 02134Phone: 617-782-6460 E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.traumacenter.orgDescription: Center provides training, consultation, and education for professionals; research information; links to sites that deal with the issue of trauma.
Wounded Healer and Message ForumWeb Site: www.twhj.comDescription: excellent site for therapists who have experienced trauma of their own. Forum for support people involved with someone who has a dissociative disorder.
Professional Plan of Action.
Conclusion.