topic Re: Worried about plurality in PTSD and trauma

Worried about plurality

Guest_71804972 — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:10:59 GMT

I'm concerned I might fall under the term of someone who is plural, I've done a lot of research on the subject of DID and OSDD and worry my symptoms could be lining up, but I'm unsure as I've dealt with things like delusions and hallucinations in the past, and my brain could be convincing me of something that isn't real. I don't have money to spend so I'm not very sure how to go about figuring it out with a professional either

Re: Worried about plurality

indigo22 — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:25:16 GMT

Hello,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for reaching out to us.

I am sure this is causing you some concern and confusion, not knowing what you may be dealing with.

My best suggestion would be to make a long appointment with a GP who has a special interest in mental health as what you are describing is a bit more complicated than most GPs would regularly encounter. They may not be able to make a firm diagnosis, but this is a good place to start and the GP should then be able to advise your next steps. If you are unable to locate a GP locally, try to find one who does telehealth consultations. The questions to ask is if they are trauma aware and have a special interest in mental health. This means they have done further learning on these subjects and will know what questions to ask you in order to help you figure this out.

I hope this helps and please feel free to continue the conversation if you wish.

Take care,

indigo

Re: Worried about plurality

Eagle Ray — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:05:22 GMT

Dear Guest_71804972,

I discovered I was plural last year. It started in February with initially a presence and then a voice. The voice was very much internal and from my understanding this is how voices are experienced in DID and OSDD, whereas they tend to be experienced as more external in psychosis. Since then I have had parts clearly emerge, 16 active parts at present. As the system develops in early childhood and is covert by nature as an adaptive response to trauma, it's possible to have had it for years and not known. It's very common for people who discover they are plural to go through periods of doubt, especially as the system has hidden itself for so long.

There's a few avenues I can suggest for exploring things further. One is to take the Dissociative Experiences Scale II test (DES-ii). It's available a few places online but I did it from the Trauma Dissociation website (which I think will be the second listing if you google "Dissociative Experiences Scale ii"). This can give you a ballpark figure of where you sit. I was 37.5 the first time I did the test which put me in the OSDD category (formerly DD-NOS which has been replaced by OSDD). More recently I've scored in the DID range as I have become much more aware of the level of amnesia I have, so I answer the questions differently now. My system clearly presents as DID now.

Another option is to call and speak with The Blue Knot Foundation. I have called them when dealing with flashbacks and episodes of blending with parts, and they have been very helpful with those things. They are the only helpline I know of who understand anything about OSDD/DID. They've also advised they do have a listing of trauma-informed practitioners which they can refer to, and as I understand it I think there can be some low cost options. I've been told they can't guarantee availability but they can act on it to see what's available which may be helpful for you. Their number is 1300 657 380.

Another option, and you sound like you've been doing this already, is exploring online resources. I have found two podcasts particularly helpful - Healing My Parts and A Couple of Multiples. The CTAD Clinic YouTube channel run by Dr Mike Lloyd is also excellent for exploring the experiences of OSDD/DID. You can read in the comments that many people use that as a primary resource as they cannot afford therapy and it's a main point of support for a lot of people. There are also two interviews with Joh Knyn on the Does My Psychologist Like Me podcast on the topic of DID. Joh is an Australian specialist in DID so that may be helpful too. Basically, listen and learn as much as you can, and it will likely build up a picture as to whether the diagnosis may fit you.

I was already working with a psychologist when my system emerged. Initially I thought psychosis or late onset schizophrenia may be a possibility, as there is an increased incidence of those during perimenopause which I've been going through. But it quickly became apparent, and my psychologist agrees, that I am grounded and coherent in a way that is not consistent with psychosis or schizophrenia and instead definitely fits the DID profile. I already had a Complex PTSD diagnosis and complex trauma is almost always present in DID and OSDD. If you are able to access therapy, I would definitely look for someone with very good knowledge and experience in complex trauma. Finding an available DID specialist is very hard. Even if you see someone trauma-informed, be cautious about quickly jumping into therapies such as EMDR and IFS. Both of these can help with DID/OSDD, but it is critical they are carefully modified and adapted and not all therapists realise this. I was really harmed by EMDR and learned the hard way. The recommended 3 phase model for DID treatment is - Safety and Stabilisation, Trauma Processing, and Integration or Fusion (importantly at the discretion of the client).

I'm happy to chat and answer any questions. I know how strange it can be if it is a system emerging. I obviously can't tell in your case and it would definitely help you to access as many resources as you can to get a picture of things. But I'm really happy to offer support in any way I can.

Re: Worried about plurality

Eagle Ray — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:28:20 GMT

I just want to add and agree with indigo above that finding a GP who is knowledgeable in the mental health field is really important. I recently travelled to the city to see a trauma-informed GP to get a new mental health care plan for seeing my psychologist. I was able to disclose the plurality to him and he was able to show some understanding and interest. Unfortunately understanding of DID and OSDD is extremely limited among most clinicians though. I am not willing at all to disclose to the doctors in my town. I actually mentioned that to the people at Blue Knot and they said trust that instinct. It's getting better than it was, but unfortunately these conditions still have a lot of stigma and assumptions made about them that are completely inaccurate, so I've learned that being your own advocate is everything. The good news is there are more and more people communicating openly about it and educating on it. The Healing My Parts podcast is by a therapist who herself has DID, and A Couple of Multiples is by two women with DID, one of them now a therapist in the field as well. There is a great conference about to happen in Orlando, Florida called The Healing Together Conference, the only of its kind in the world dedicated to plurality. You can attend virtually though I think the cost is possibly a bit much for me, but it's run by An Infinite Mind and their website also offers some info and resources that may be helpful.

I'll just also add that the most important thing, if you do find that you are plural and find a therapist you can afford to work with, is working with someone where there is a really good connection who can be really present with and validate your parts. This matters more than anything, including the modalities used. My therapist is very sensitive to my parts and the most helpful thing she does is co-regulate with me or them, whoever is present, and this really helps my internal system work better. Internal communication is central to working well with DID and OSDD and it is via this communication, love, support and compassion for parts that healing and trauma resolution happens.

Re: Worried about plurality

Eagle Ray — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:40:15 GMT

P.S. Sorry just me again but wanted to quickly give you a heads up that there can be a long wait on the phone now to speak to someone at The Blue Knot Foundation if you call them. Don't be deterred if this happens as there is an option to leave a message and they will get back to you in 48-72 hours. I just thought I'd let you know ahead of time that you could be in a long phone queue because they are in very high demand now.