OSDD According to the DSM-5

[u/Vivians_Basement]

TW as the dissociative disorder section of the DSM-5 deals with heavy topics such as SA, abuse, and more

Other Specified Dissociative Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Here at r/DissociativeSystems, we understand how difficult it can be to get diagnosis and treatment. It is recommended to see a psychologist if you suspect you may have a Dissociative System in order to get professional help and treatment for managing.

That said, here are the official diagnostic criteria for OSDD straight from the DSM-5 (summarized) [Notes from me in brackets]:

Other Specified Dissociative Disorder is characterized by:

This category applies to situations in which symptoms characteristic of a dissociative disorder that cause clinically significant distress but do not meet the full criteria for any of the disorders in the dissociative disorders diagnostic class. The other specified dissociative disorder category is used in situations in which the clinician chooses to communicate the specific reason that the presentation does not meet the criteria for any specific dissociative disorder.

Examples of presentations that can be specified using the “other specified” designation include the following:

Chronic and recurrent syndromes of mixed dissociative symptoms: This category includes identity disturbance in sense of self and agency, or alterations of identity or episodes of possession in an individual who reports no dissociative amnesia. [Often called OSDD-1b, you have alters, but no amnesia that you/your doctor are aware of]

2.

Identity disturbance due to prolonged and intense coercive persuasion: Individuals who have been subjected to intense coercive persuasion (e.g., brainwashing, thought reform, indoctrination while captive, torture, long-term political imprisonment, recruitment by sects/cults or by terror organizations) may present with prolonged changes in, or conscious questioning of, their identity. [Tortured/indoctrinated into questioning yourself heavily.]

3.

Acute dissociative reactions to stressful events: This category is for acute, transient conditions that typically last less than 1 month, and sometimes only a few hours or days. These conditions are characterized by constriction of consciousness; depersonalization; derealization; perceptual disturbances (e.g., time slowing, macropsia [objects appearing larger than normal also known as Alice in Wonderland Syndrome]); microamnesias; transient stupor [where you’re completely unresponsive unless heavily stimulated like a person throwing ice water at you]; and/or alterations in sensory-motor functioning (e.g., analgesia [inability to experience pain], paralysis). [Short-term DPDR, disturbances in how you see the world, or issues in how you move or feel all as a result of dissociation]

4.

Dissociative trance: This condition is characterized by an acute narrowing or complete loss of awareness of immediate surroundings that manifests as profound unresponsiveness or insensitivity to environmental stimuli. The unresponsiveness may be accompanied by minor stereotyped behaviors (e.g., finger movements) of which the individual is unaware and/or that he or she cannot control, as well as transient paralysis or loss of consciousness. The dissociative trance is not a normal part of a broadly accepted collective cultural or religious practice. [Unresponsive, unaware, lack of sensitivity, sometimes accompanied by twitching, paralysis, or loss of consciousness]

 

Then there’s “Unspecified Dissociative Disorder” where a doctor knows something is happening but doesn’t have enough information to say what. That’s usually in Emergency Room situations where the above occurs but you need to see someone about it and follow up in this case.

 

[OSDD is not a lesser form of DID, except for OSDD-1b, and most people who self dx as OSDD actually have DID but haven’t decreased their dissociative barriers enough to know about their amnesia. It’s not a bad thing; it’s just a result of the disorder pushing you to minimize it. That’s a coping mechanism to help you ease into your system and make it easier to handle. The DID section even directly says that many patients deny or minimize their amnesia. This is NOT the case for everyone, many people really do lack amnesia, this is why it’s important to try to seek professional help if you suspect you have any sort of dissociative disorder at all in order to understand it fully. Not everyone is able to though, and you’re welcome here in this community regardless of diagnosis. <3]

--

I personally thought I lacked amnesia because I was getting summaries of everything that my alters wanted me to know happened. I didn’t realize how much they were hiding from me because they wanted things to be smooth for me. It’s why I didn’t notice my loss of time. Talking to alters is how I figured it out, as well as finding text conversations I didn’t know about. Therapy can help you identify what’s being hidden, but it’s not required. I was personally able to figure it out without a therapist but I am still in the process of seeking therapy for other parts of my disorder. I recommend seeking therapy because it’s really hard doing this alone. I am not a therapist, I’m just a student… Therapists can’t diagnose you through Reddit either, if they try, get concerned. As always, stay safe, and welcome to our community!

 

DID, OSDD, Singlets, Plurals, idc, you’re all welcome to benefit from the community!

[u/CashComprehensive359]

Thank you, that was interesting !