OSDD is another dissociative identity disorder diagnosis that is widely used by therapists and mental health professionals
When this is the case however, a completely different diagnosis – dissociative identity disorder (DSDD) – may be more appropriate. What makes these diagnoses different?
As mentioned above, a DSM-5 specific OSDD diagnosis is based on the overlap of symptoms from other dissociative disorders. However, when the overlap of symptoms of other dissociative disorders is considered, it is easier to recognize them as OSDD.
What is OSDD? It is a collective term for dissociatives, people who experience an altered state of consciousness without realizing it. The experience can include hallucinations, depersonalization, or amnesia. A precise definition of OSDD is a person who has a distorted sense of self, often without clear memories of past events.
What is OSDD Diagnostics? To confirm an OSDD diagnosis, you must match three or more of the following criteria:
- You are aware of your surroundings. People with OSDD experience a changed sense of self, often without clear memories of past events. Because of this, they may not be able to distinguish their normal environment from an altered state of consciousness. For example, they may not be able to remember where they were sitting when they had the delusion of sitting on an iceberg. They may also be unable to remember anything else. “You know where you are, but you don’t know where you want to go. People with OSDD often feel like they are missing something, or they know where they want to go but cannot get there.
- You have an obsessive need to escape from reality. Patients with OSDD often feel the need to move away from their reality and live in a fantasy world, who then try to convince others to believe that it is true. This can cause feelings of paranoia, anxiety, guilt, and / or shame. in other situations.
- Your symptoms do not seem related to those of another mental health problem. OSDD patients can have a wide variety of symptoms, many of which have nothing to do with other mental health problems. Even though you may have a mental disorder, if the symptoms you have are experiencing do not have any of the characteristics of OSDD, then they are probably not related to the mental disorder. Instead, they must be the result of something else.
- You have suffered for at least 6 months from a persistent, unexplained attack of panic or anxiety. Many OSDD patients have attacks that occur during everyday activities, such as when you are driving or shopping, or even during social situations.
- You are experiencing symptoms for longer than six months. Many OSDD patients have attacks that last from minutes to days, although some episodes may be longer. In addition to longer attacks, you may also develop a fear of having an attack.
- You know of at least two people who have suffered from OSDD. One person has had episodes lasting more than six months. and the other has had attacks lasting several years. These people, although not necessarily OSDD sufferers, are more likely to tell their friends, family members or co-workers about their experiences.
These are just a few symptoms. The list is by no means complete, but it can give you a good idea of the type of symptoms that people with OSDD can have. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should contact a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible.
Symptoms are not always present in every case, but the sooner they are treated, the better your chances will be of healing. If you have the symptoms described above, or if you are unsure whether you are suffering from OSDD, then contact your physician or mental health professional as soon as possible.
Symptoms of this disorder vary from person to person, so there is no one set method to determine whether or not you suffer from it. However, most people with this disorder experience symptoms that are similar. including the following: racing heart, sweaty palms and feet, extreme anxiety, feelings of dread, feeling detached from reality and an overall sense of dread. While these symptoms are common, it is important to note that each individual experience may differ based on their own personality, as well as on the cause and severity of their disorder.
You can begin to feel better about yourself once you start treatment. You can get rid of some of your symptoms immediately, while others take time. When you find the right treatment for OSDD, you can live the life you've always wanted and you'll be able to enjoy the same things you have always enjoyed.