About Me:
I have always struggled to describe myself and hate the use of labels, but they do help explain a little about me, so here we go:I am Kylie, a daughter, a friend, a Christian, a student, and many more things including a survivor of child sexual abuse. I have been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I enjoy reading, art, tea, bush walking, ancient history, music, philosophy, mythology and so much more. I am enthusiastic about the music I listen to, the art I create and the things I learn about people and life. I am passionate about my beliefs, my friends, my immediate family and helping others.
I do not think that any of these things define me but I think they do influence who I am and the way the world views me.
About Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID):
Dissociation
Dissociation is a normal thing that everybody experiences - ever found yourself staring into the distance and realised 10 minutes have past? Or perhaps you got lost in some music? spent time daydreaming? These are all examples of dissociation - and it is completely normal.
Dissociative Disorders
A dissociative disorder occurs when the mind uses disassociation in an extreme way to cope with trauma. It allows a person to disconnect with the memories and emotions attached to the trauma.
In most cases, this trauma occurred repeatedly in the person's childhood, though this is not always the case. The trauma is usually sexual abuse however it can be a result of physical abuse, verbal/emotional abuse, severe neglect, recurrent invasive medical treatment, and other stressful situations.
There are 5 types of dissociative disorders including;
1. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
2. Dissociative Amnesia
3. Dissociative Fugue
4. Depersonalization Disorder
5. Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (DDNOS)
If you would like to know more about dissociation and dissociative disorders please check out our Links for more information.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
The 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' (DSM-IV), is what psychologists use to help diagnose a patient with a mental disorder. This is what the DSM-IV (4th Edition) describes DID as:
Dissociative Identity Disorder- Formerly Known As MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder)
1. The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment. At least two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the person's behavior.
2. Inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
3. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during Alcohol Intoxication) or a general medical condition (e.g., complex partial seizures). Note: In children, the symptoms are not attributable to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play.
About this Blog:
I started Multiplicity in Febuary 2010, with the aim to provide insight into my life as a person with Diassociative Identity Disorder (DID). Through this I hoped to help others understand the disorder and more importantly to understand the people who struggle with DID. I have always believed that people view emotional disorders negatively because of the stigma that is within the media and from a lack of understanding. I hoped that this blog might be informative and help reduce that negative stigma surrounding DID.As I wrote here more it became a journal, a personal diary in which I commented on events in my everyday life and thoughts on healing, DID, and whatever else I felt like sharing. I began to find other survivors' blogs and started to grow as I read their journeys. Rather than writing the blog simply to educate others I began to write it for myself and with that to reach out to others.
During this time I was struggling and being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrom and this has become another common theme with in my posts as it has had a huge impact in my life.
Towards the end of 2010, I realise that I was wanting to write more personal things than I wanted to share with the world. At that point I started my own private journal. I have had dairies before however I had never been able to stick to them. I believe the reason for this was that I was writing them because others told me they were a good tool for healing, but wasnt writing them for myself. With my new journal, it has been something I have started and continued because I have wanted to do it for me.
While my journal has not changed the amount I post on my blog, it has changed the way I write here. My posts are now more thought out and are really focused on my healing journey in relation to my everyday experiences. It is a place where I share my thoughts, discoveries and struggles as I grow on my healing journey. This blog still has a lot of themes on living with DID but the focus of my posts are now on healing, growing and living life.
Another really big shift in the way I have viewed Multiplicity is that when I started I felt I stood alone. Over time, other survivors have commented on this blog, and I have began to follow their blogs and even formed friendships. I now view Multiplicity as a part of a community of survivor blogs, each encouraging one another, sharing struggles and wisdom as we travel our own healing journeys. There is great comfort inn realising we are not alone and that there are others that understand where I am coming from.
I have always tried to encourage people to ask questions, particularly questions on DID. This hasnt changed and I want any readers to feel comfortable to ask questions either within the comments section or by emailing me (my email can be found on my profile).
