What is an OSDD system?

Answer - An OSDD (Other Specified Dissociative Disorder) system is a group of alters, formed by repeated childhood trauma from ages 1-12 usually. OSDD usually forms in the child's early teens, or even earlier. Previously called MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder), this disorder is categorized by the action of switching alters. This disorder is created by the brain as a natural defense/coping mechanic to deal with the severe trauma. This is NOT DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), however, it is categorized in the same category in the DSM-5 Book.

What is the difference between DID and OSDD?

Answer - According to the DSM-5 Book (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), DID is categorized by the following symptoms;

-You display, or others observe, two or more distinct identities or personalities, which may be described in some cultures as possession that is unwanted and involuntary. Each identity has its own pattern of perceiving, relating to and thinking about yourself and the world.
-You have recurrent gaps in memory for everyday events, skills, important personal information and traumatic events that are too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
-Your symptoms are not a part of broadly accepted cultural or religious practice.
-Your symptoms are not due to alcohol or other drugs, or a medical condition. In children, symptoms are not due to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play.
-Your symptoms cause you significant stress or problems in your relationships, work or other important areas of your life.

On the other hand, OSDD has a different variety of symptoms.

-OSDD example 1 is either identity disturbance with less distinct parts than in Dissociative Identity Disorder (they cannot physically take executive control over the person's body, but strongly influence the person's thoughts and actions and amnesia is present), known as OSDD-1a, or distinct dissociative parts (alters or alternate identities) exist and can take executive control, but without amnesia, known as OSDD-1b. However, the slightly changed wording for Dissociative Identity Disorder means that some people who previously were diagnosed as OSDD-1 will now be diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. The two relevant changes involve the fact that identity alteration (changing identities between different personality states/alters/alter identities) can be self-reported or reported by a family member of friend rather than just clinical staff, and secondly a slight broadening of the amnesia criterion.

In Short? OSDD-1a and OSDD-1b are different because OSDD-1a has a lack of altered states, and OSDD-1b has little to no amnesia, while DID has both altered states and amnesia.

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What are some basic OSDD terminology?

Answer - Here are a few!

System - A group of Alters

Alters - The "other personalities", "alter egos" or "altered states". They can have different names, gender identities, pronouns, sexualities, and more. They are identified by having different speech, thought and movement processes (not all three are required for an alter to be considered an alter)

Switching/Switch - A change in which alter is controlling the body

Fronting - When one alter is taking control of the body

Co-Fronting - When two or more alters are controlling the body

Fragment - An alter who is not as "capable" (cannot front, verbally speak or talks only in the headspace) as other alters, often resulting in the alter not being registered in the system and/or not being fully formed

Headspace - A place in the head for alters to meet, talk and/or live.

Disassociating - A term used to describe a trance/state in which the body "disassociates", making it so it feels like an out of body experience. Symptoms are not limited to but may include;
-A detached sense of reality
-Feeling emotionally or physically numb
-Having little to no emotion
-Hallucinating
-Sweating, panicking or rapid heart beat

Headmate - A genderneutral term used by systems to refer to another alter

Inner Self - A reflection/description of how the alter genuinely views themselves. Their inner self may be a Godly being, a Demonic being, etc.

OSDD - Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (has types 1a [without alters] and 1b [little to none amnesia upon switching])

Roles in an OSDD System

What are roles, first off?
Roles in a system are similar to things such as roles in families, roles in theatrics, and roles in games. However, in a system, each alter is usually (not always) a separate set of roles to help them perform in the system. Since OSDD is viewed by the brain as a coping mechanic, the roles are to help cope with the extreme trauma the person has endured. Roles may be for example, a persecutor, someone who takes on the role of someone who has/or is like someone who has abused the person before.

Persecutor - Someone who attacks/abuses the system, sometimes without realizing it. These are often demonized, however, they should be treated with respect as should all alters. Some don't even consider themselves "bad".

Protector - Someone who protects the system, oftentimes fighting the persecutor. This may mean getting into fights, being highly sensitive and/or defensive.

Little - Someone who age regresses/inner self is a child, and cannot help acting like one. They may not know what some more adult terms mean. Often treated with infantilization, these Littles should be treated with RESPECT, not babied. However, DO NOT bring up mature topics around Littles, it may distress them.

Caretaker/Caregiver - Someone who cares for/acts like a parental figure for the system, and often people outside of the system as well. These alters are often given the "mom", "dad", or "parent" title.

Traumaholder - Someone who holds trauma, often only one memory. This memory is often not known to any other alters except the traumaholder.

Middle - Like a Little, however a little older in age. Often treated as a "middle child" or younger teen (10-12), these alters are often more capable than Littles.

Non-Verbal - Someone who cannot speak/speaks very little (not always included to typing, mostly included to in person conversations)

Gatekeeper - Someone who gatekeeps, or prevents, fragmented, hostile or other alters from entering/joining the system.

Otherkin/Therian - Someone who's innerself/identification is not human.

Fictive/Introject - Someone who is based off of a fictional character (sometimes a real person for Introjects) and believes they are said character. Some may have memories held from said character. [NOTE: FOR INTROJECTS BASED ON IRL PEOPLE, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE FUN OF/DEMONIZE THEM. ALTERS CANNOT CHOSE WHO THEY ARE! IT IS A TRAUMA RESPONSE!]

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Common FAQs

How many alters can a system have? - An alter can have anything ranging from 2 to HUNDREDS of alters! It all depends on the system!

I've heard the term Endogenic and Traumagenic before, what does that mean? - Endogenic systems technically CAN exist (systems formed by means other than trauma, such as a lack of developement in personality, blocked trauma, etc), however it is EXTREMELY important not to group them with Traumagenic systems (systems formed by trauma) for the reason that Endogenic systems do not need the same resources as Traumagenic systems, and oftentimes, are diagnosed with something else other than OSDD/DID. Putting Endogenic and Traumagenic systems together is not only ableist towards both communities, but harmful for both communities.

I've also seen the term Sysmed/Systemmed being thrown around, what is this about? - This has to do with the Endogenic debate, and the term "Systemmedicalist/Sysmed" stems from the "Transmedicalist/Transmed" sort of debate. However, unlike being transmed, sysmeds believe in no Endogenic systems. Please see above as to why Endogenic systems should not be grouped with Traumagenic systems. I personally, am a Systemneutralist, and believe that while Endogenic systems can exist, they should not under ANY circumstance be grouped with Traumagenic systems.

I think I have OSDD, what should I do? - If it is available to you, please talk to your psychiatrist/therapist about this. If not, please do INCREDIBLY entensive research before you self diagnose. I cannot tell you how easy it is to misdiagnose yourself with
OSDD-1a or OSDD-1b. Self diagnosis is always okay if you do not have access to resources! However, please please PLEASE research before diagnosing.

Is OSDD like a multiple people trapped in one body/person, or is it more like different personalities? - It's a mixture of both, depending on who you ask. For me, personally, its mainly multiple people trapped inside one body. But others will say other things!

How can I help OSDD systems? - You can help by spreading this Carrd, or other trustworthy informative sites! Also, decreasing the stigma around the demonization of OSDD systems by telling people the truth- we are like anyone else! We just have a little bit of struggle in our daily life.