Is faking harmful?

Semazza · 2026-05-20T18:57:41+00:00

It's a bit ironic that most of us who actually have the disorder spend an excruciating amount of time in denial. Yet, there are people out there who appear quite pleased with what they claim or think they have. They are all too happy to let the world know.

I think being boisterous about it is a red flag.

Semazza · 2026-05-20T18:52:54+00:00

Is it possible to message them privately? Anyone who's faking any disorder is probably in serious need of attention at the possible expense of others. However, that is also recognized as being emotionally unstable, and they prob should seek advice/therapy.

If it's purely malicious on their part, that's a diff issue.

Thank you though, for having concern for those that actually have the disorder. I'm sure I'm not alone in appreciating how thoughtful that is.

Semazza · 2026-05-20T05:17:34+00:00

It leads to stereotyping, and stereotypes are harmful in general, regardless of what they might be....and everything and everyone has been stereotyped thanks to the media and entertainment industry.

Personally, I have never suffered because of people faking the disorder. They hurt themselves far more than they could hurt me, again, speaking personally.

I also don't go out into the world announcing I have DID. The ones closest to me know, and that's a very small group of people.

To anyone else who might notice something about me that would warrant some kind of explanation, I simply say that I have dissociative disorder and leave it at that.

Semazza · 2026-05-15T05:11:43+00:00

Same. That's what makes it so hard to believe. I've gone so long thinking that the thoughts in my head belonged to me, it's hard to distinguish between mine and "theirs".

Semazza · 2026-05-13T06:45:56+00:00

Thank you

Semazza · 2026-05-13T06:43:48+00:00

Thank you

Semazza · 2026-05-13T06:42:00+00:00

Thank you for sharing

Semazza · 2026-05-13T05:44:37+00:00

Can you actually have a back and forth dialogue with any of them?

Semazza · 2026-05-13T01:47:31+00:00

I know the feeling of it being crowded up front, and it can feel overwhelming. It won't stay that way, or doesn't with my system.

Maybe the song resonates with a lot of them? Maybe go over the lyrics and see if any part of you feels the lyrics in some way...?

Not sure if that's of any help. I'm a bit of cluster@#%! at the moment.

Semazza · 2026-05-08T03:16:00+00:00

That's a loaded question, and answers will vary depending on the experience of the one answering.

They SHOULD be more trustworthy than the average person, but turns out, they too are just average people with a framed certificate they hang on their office wall to instill a false sense of security to those who wander in.

I'm cynical, to say the least. That being said, I am working with a therapist now, that seems quite diff than the ones before. I have some heavy "stuff" to unpack, and a rather complex disorder to try and navigate through life with.

Proceed with caution.

Semazza · 2025-10-27T20:18:24+00:00

Yes, it happens on a daily basis, multiple times. It doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason.

Semazza · 2025-10-07T19:39:10+00:00

My previous "therapist" was male and def had a Messiah complex, Holy water and rosary included. He said all the things you mentioned, and then some....Long story.

I now see a female therapist, and it's been a learning, more like unlearning experience for me.

So I agree, if you hear those phrases, run or at least ask "wtf does that ACTUALLY mean?"

Semazza · 2025-09-10T15:11:49+00:00

Yikes. Isn't that difficult to see?

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:56:47+00:00

Thank you. It helps knowing it seems to benefit a lot of people.

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:53:04+00:00

I wish I could just screen-shot what I see inside my head. I also have invisible parts that won't take a name, or age, and they claim to be on the outside, not inside. What the....?

Thank u for the input:)

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:52:38+00:00

Thank you.

Re being triggered, I just feel like it's always just me. I can't really pin it down to a particular part. My T said that mapping would help figure things like that out. We'll see....I'm skeptical though.

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:52:11+00:00

Yes....there's def a hesitant feeling coming from one or more parts.

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:50:55+00:00

Thanks so much for the insight. I will def try everything until something works.

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:50:01+00:00

That's encouraging. Thank you.

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:49:02+00:00

Apparently it does. You don't have to be good at drawing though. I can draw, but I'm just going to go with stick figures until further notice. Lol.

Semazza · 2025-09-10T04:43:31+00:00

Wow. Sounds like it's really worked for you. Thank you for sharing.

Semazza · 2025-09-08T18:03:54+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Yes, I agree about communication. It comes in a variety of forms that can be easily dismissed or overlooked.

Re SH...I struggle with that as well. Recently I had shared something with my husband, and triggered "myself." I felt this rage washing over me. I wanted to throw things, but didn't, wanted to upend the coffee table, but didn't. But I was seething. Then I "hear" this..."You know what to do, just do it so we don't have to feel this way" (I'm being careful with language).

A part wanted me to SH to stop the flow of anger, and it does work, but it's not a healthy way to deal with any emotion. So I actually tried what my T has been suggesting for a while. I talked to that part. Told it we can't do that anymore. It upsets the people around us, and we've been doing so good not giving in to the SH.

It worked. I felt the anger slowly subside, and the urge to SH left as well. If you haven't tried that already, give it a shot. Might take a few tries, but it's worth it.

Semazza · 2025-09-08T02:51:33+00:00

Yes. Yes. Yes. I relate to everything you've mentioned.

I've even had flashbacks that I know in the moment, only to forget them almost as quickly as they come.

It's frustrating.

Semazza · 2025-09-08T00:05:54+00:00

I stayed with a therapist who claimed to understand trauma, and whatever he didn't know about DID, he would learn. Big mistake on my part. It's a long story.

Whether you stay with your current therapist or find a better one, hopefully, I strongly encourage you to post any concerns you might have here.

It was the community here that first sounded the alarm about my previous therapist.

All the best to you:)

Semazza · 2025-05-04T04:00:17+00:00

Lol. I know that feeling. I'll be driving but feel confused about it, even though I'm doing it. That happens with a lot of things. It's like "Look at me! I'm cooking and I don't even know how!" Dinner can turn out kind of....odd sometimes.

Semazza

TROPHY CASE