Resources

Understand, get informed, find support

Whether you are just discovering the subject, or looking for resources for yourself, a loved one or professional support, here is what RASTD can offer.

Depending on your situation

You are affected

Explanations of DID and plural systems written in plain language, without needless clinical jargon.
A place to ask your questions without judgment, through the Contact page.
Systella and SysSpace, digital tools designed for a system's everyday life: alter profiles, private journal, internal communication.

You are a loved one

Landmarks to understand what the person is going through, without having to guess everything on your own.
Practical pointers: welcome each alter as they present themselves, don't ask for "proof", respect the need for time and space.
The chance to talk with RASTD if you have questions specific to your situation.

You are a professional

An association that can act as a point of contact with people who are affected, focused on listening rather than clinical expertise.
Feedback from the field on systems' concrete needs: digital tools, internal communication, peer support.
A way in if you would like to refer a patient to a community of peers.

Peer support, in practice

Feeling less alone with an experience that few people understand from the inside.

At RASTD, peer support currently takes two concrete forms.

Discussion channels in Systella. These are real-time discussion spaces where systems can meet, help each other and share their experience freely, at their own pace.
One-to-one listening through the Contact page. Anyone who wants to talk directly with the association's team can do so, in complete confidence.

Regular discussion groups and other peer-support formats are being considered for the future. If you would like to be kept informed, or lend a hand in setting them up, write to us.

Frequently asked questions

What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)?

DID is a recognised dissociative disorder, characterised by the presence of two or more identities (often called "alters") that take turns controlling a person's behaviour. It most often develops in response to early, repeated traumatic experiences. The word "system" refers to all the identities that make up one person.

What is a "plural system"?

It is a broad term for anyone who experiences being more than one, whether this corresponds to a diagnosis of DID, OSDD (other specified dissociative disorder), or a plurality experienced outside any medical framework. RASTD is open to all of these situations, without ranking anyone's journey.

Is DID the same thing as what we see in films?

No. Popular portrayals often link dissociation to danger or spectacle, which does not match the real experience of most systems. Most people affected lead ordinary lives. The main challenge day to day is communication between alters, not a danger to others.

How do I know if I am affected?

Only a mental health professional trained in dissociative disorders can make a diagnosis. RASTD does not diagnose remotely, but can point you to reliable resources and, if you wish, talk through your questions with you via the Contact page.

How can I support a loved one with DID?

Often the most helpful things are to welcome the system's plurality without questioning it, to respect each alter's pace, and to learn from serious sources rather than the sensationalist portrayals found elsewhere. The section for loved ones above sets out a few practical pointers.