The Other D in D.I.D.

Yesterday I wrote about the D in D.I.D: Dissociation. Today I want to talk about the other D: Disorder. I want to explain why I dislike this D and why I will only use it as a ‘technical term’ rather than what I actually feel it should be. You see, I don’t personally believe that D.I.D. is a disorder.

The dictionary defines disorder as the following:

noun

A state of confusion.

verb

Disrupt the systematic functioning or neat arrangement of.

Dissociative Identity Disorder technically is a disruption of the normal cognitive function of sense of self/identity, memories, thoughts, feelings etc, however the very word disorder gives the impression that the person is broken and ‘out of order’. And I don’t believe that’s the case.

D.I.D. is an amazing coping mechanism given to some children to be able to survive the most horrendous insult and abuse against their bodies, minds, emotions and intellect. To call it a disorder somehow minimises the mind’s remarkable ability to adapt and survive. Calling it a disorder implies brokenness, and inadvertently indicates that there may be no total healing from the condition, which simply isn’t true at all. I personally feel that calling this incredible gift a ‘disorder’ insulting to those who have it. It’s telling them that they are less than people who don’t have it. That somehow they are incapable of living a fulfilling and happy life as a multiple. People who don’t have the condition would see it as a disorder. As someone who does have the condition, I see it as an amazing survival mechanism.

You’ll notice that I call it a condition. The dictionary defines ‘condition’ as:

noun

A particular mode of being of a person or thing; existing state; situation with respect to circumstances. State of health.

Although still not the best word to use, at least condition is stating a fact rather than stating a misguided and misinformed opinion. ‘Mechanism’ would be an even more accurate word, but condition works.

I would love to see the name changed again to remove the word ‘Disorder’ and replace it with a much more accurate word, but that’s my own personal opinion. Calling it a disorder leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It makes me feel inferior to others just because I have this ‘condition’, and I’m not inferior. Unique, yes. But not inferior. Not superior either. Equal. My personality is intact; I just have a lot more of them than the average person. That’s not a disorder; it’s survival and adaptation. And that’s badass!

I’d love to hear what you think about this. Do you agree or disagree? Leave me a comment either at the bottom of my Home page, or drop me an email or post your thoughts on my Facebook page. Links are on the Homepage.

Stay safe!