Dissociative Identity Disorder questions?

Question

I recently stumbled across some YouTube channels about people introducing their alters (multiple personalities) and I noticed some sort of "pattern". One the obvious one is severe trauma. 2. Either one or all of the personalities are the opposite gender or sexuality from the host. (The host acknowledges that in the intro).In one video I saw, a woman disclosed she as a host was trans, but her alters were strictly female. One of her alters had said that b4 that traumatic event happened in her life she, was a male and loved doing things as a male. Which sparked a question If DIDs and gender dysphoria and sexuality are one in the same in her case?"

Another separate youtuber didn't specifically disclose a gender that I'm aware of However all of her alters were male. I'm really  intrigued about this disorder. And I'm still learning about the whole gender identity thing, but these videos made me wonder.. If gender identity/fluidity and DIDs have a common ground or if one influences othe other in their case?

I definitely don't want to generalize or come off transphobic in anyway, I'm just really interested in the way the brain functions "normally", with gender identity and sexuality struggles and with any identity disorder. So I didn't want to just flat out ask them(the YouTubers).

The reason I'm asking here is because I would hate to pry into people's lives in such a public forum, so I thought maybe some of u intelligent and more informed people might be able to answer those questions. I know the detail is about gender/sexuality and may be in the wrong room but that's not really the entirety of my concern, I'm really just interested in the brain functions if that makes sense. I figured you guys make some pretty informed and educated opinions so why not post in CC. I guess what I'm trying to ask is if DIDs can have an impact on gender identity/Dysphoria or sexuality?

Answer

I don't think so, because DID is not about sexuality it's about traumatic experiences, that causes the brain to disassociate/ fracture into multiple beings to protect the host.

"Dissociation is thought to be a coping mechanism for trauma-individuals literally dissociate themselves from an experience that is presumably too traumatic for the conscious self to acknowledge or experience" (Maddux & Winstead, 2012, pg. 364).

"Dissociation occurs most frequently in individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse, particularly sexual abuse, in infancy or early childhood. The experience of trauma often resurfaces for these individuals in the form of recurrent nightmares and frequent intrusive memories. The relationship of dissociative behavior and trauma has been related to attachment theory, which views insecure or anxious interpersonal attachment patterns as one of the root causes of dissociative behavior" (Maddux & Winstead, 2012, pg. 351).

Now, the body dysmorphic disorder can fall under somatoform or somatization disorder. "Somatization denotes the presence of physical symptoms for which no demonstrable disease process or bodily oriented pathology can be identified as the cause. Somatiztion processes frequently occur in other "somatic disorders", including hypochondriasis, pain disorder, conversion disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder" ( Maddux & Winstead, 2012, pg. 347).

They discovered that pathological disorders and dissociative disorders share developmental similarities and diagnostic overlaps with somatization disorders. "Dissociation and somatization are both strongly linked with childhood trauma, which suggests potentially common mechanisms".

Answer

When I get stressed, or stressed + exhausted, i dissaccociate really bad. Nothing feels real and I question everything. As for gender, I'm okay being female but if I was taller, I would wish I was a male. Even my personality types fall more masculine than feminine

Answer

I haven't seen these YouTubers, but are they in therapy? Because traditionally alters don't know about each other unless they've entered therapy and efforts have been made toward reintegration.
Just be careful watching YouTubers claiming a quite controversial disorder. I've yet to meet a psychiatrist or psychologist that lays credence in the disorder. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I'm just saying be cautious of where you get your information.
If you're interested in doing some reading, Sybil is of course the "original", most well known case. Another good book is When Rabbit Howls - written by a woman and her alters. Neither is an easy read, but very interesting nonetheless.

Answer

As far as I'm aware, any and all mental illnesses and issues (when I say mental illness in this case, I mean dysphoria, NOT being transgender alone) have the potential to influence and affect one another. I wouldn't look too deep into it, as in, it's not necessarily something specific to both DID and gender dysphoria, similar things can occur with any two or more mental illnesses.

Answer

If you have questions, feel free to message me. As someone with D.I.D. I can tell you that it isn't like that for me personally.

Dissociative Identity Disorder questions?

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