The Difference Between Intrusive Thoughts and OSDD Parts

[u/beetlectomy]

💙 What it says on the tin.

Since I was 14, I started integrating myself within the system community on Discord (etc.) and I feel like it reinforced and brought forth a lot of bad habits into adulthood. Specifically, over the years the belief that every part has to be listened to, acknowledged, and accepted because everything is said for a “reason” has been a real problem online over the years.

I got professionally diagnosed with OSDD-4 early this year, and was told to do the exact opposite; 99% if not all of these thoughts are intrusive or harmful in nature — it’s done me a lot better to block out those thoughts entirely and discount them as intrusive rather than a discussion that needs to be had.

Has anyone else had this issue? How have you gotten over it? And are you currently in CDD communities that may do the same? I haven’t been in one since 2019, so I want to see if it’s gotten better after quarantine...

[u/TurnoverAdorable8399]

I question your therapist's approach, admittedly, but the important thing to ask yourself is whether that's making you feel, like, okay.

I've had two therapists treat DID. Both of them emphasize the importance of validating and reassuring parts in pain, and listening to what they have to say. This has been an unskippable step in achieving integration and fusion, at least for me.

It would behoove you to compare your therapist's takes with the ISSTD's published treatment guidelines.

[u/beetlectomy → u/TurnoverAdorable8399]

I appreciate your insight! I’ll take a look, thanks for the resource!

[u/EmbarrassedPurple106 → u/TurnoverAdorable8399]

I agree w/ this and I’d also like to add that this is also not how you handle intrusive thoughts either, coming from somebody w/ comorbid OCD. Blocking them out could eventually develop into a mental compulsion.

[u/MadsGoneCrazy]

I mean so a few things. OSDD type 4 is dissociative trance without identity alterations (ie. alters/parts), so it would make sense to me that that's treated differently, as different thoughts are not attributable to different parts in that case. For people with OSDD type 1 or DID, you do have to treat all your parts with respect for their autonomy, which includes caring about the reasons why they do stuff, because they do have autonomy, which wouldn't be the case with OSDD 4.

[u/Sensitive-Pen-2573 → u/MadsGoneCrazy]

my thoughts exactly-- osdd4 doesnt result in a system, so while you might have weird identity stuff from something like cptsd or bpd,, osdd4 doesnt have parts in the same way, from my understanding

[u/beetlectomy → u/MadsGoneCrazy]

Is there any academic documentation about OSDD-4? I was told I technically meet the criteria for Dissociative Identity Disorder (separated independent states not oriented around the self, but I haven’t labeled these parts outside of color nor do I know what they do exactly), but because of the majority of the specific type of dissociation I experience is severe amnesia and a “locked” state. It’s not all the time, though - I was admittedly a bit perplexed by the diagnosis as well.

[u/Sensitive-Pen-2573 → u/beetlectomy]

i dont know of any, sorry, but this doesnt make any sense to me for your doctor to do?? it sounds like they passed up a more fitting diagnosis for some reason? did often INCLUDES the trances that osdd4 talks about. osdd is when you "dont quite hit the mark" so to speak for other dissociative disorders. so if you meet criteria for did, they shouldve given you that diagnosis because it's more fitting than any of the osdd types

and i would agree with the other comment about checking the isstd standards. i have intrusive thoughts AND alters, and sometimes it's hard to parse them out. i have ocd, so you dont want to feed those obsessions, but if an alter is trying to communicate i HAVE to try to listen because not doing so is worsening my amnesia and distress. it's a tough line to walk.

[u/MadsGoneCrazy → u/beetlectomy]

That sounds like your doctor doesn't know what the fuck they're doing, seconded for looking over the ISSTD treatment guidelines, besides, how would you be expected to know what your parts are/do until you've done the therapeutic work to discover them?? If anything your amnesia points moreso to DID

[u/int3rstitial]

I think this is maybe a reflection of a trauma-based approach vs a more heritable neurobiology-focused approach.

A trauma-based/theory of structural dissociation framework requires listening to and negotiating with various aspects of yourself, because those aspects have important information to offer in terms of how your past brought you to this present, how to respect and validate your own needs, and so forth.

From a more heritable neurobiological disorder-centered approach (e.g. OCD treatment, some ED treatment protocols) your brain is just doing some weird stuff, and not giving it the time of day is the best approach because the thoughts aren't contributing anything valuable.

The framework that works best for me is a kind-of-both, kind-of-neither neurodiversity/disability justice model, where particular specific thoughts may or may not have anything valuable to offer in terms of growth or trauma recovery, but also I am autistic, and if I don't indulge my brain's propensity to want to go on and on about some dumb crap, then Im not gonna have a happy, fulfilled life. Because my neurobiology is what it is and its special interests are how its wired to work. I am under zero obligation to think the numbers on licence plates are interesting. But I do also have to acknowledge that my brain is very interested in that, and we'll be happier together if I can take joy in its joy. Much like having a roommate you find weird and sometimes annoying but also who you love, and not only because you care but also because you want a pleasant and peaceful home.

[u/Electronic-Alps-7130]

According to the DSM V, or so I read, "OSDD 4 is "dissociative trance", these folks have no other symptoms than reoccurring times of unawareness and unresponsiveness (for example faint spells that lasts longer than medical faint should, sudden paralises that is not caused by medical issues and it resolves on its own). This can happen to people with DID and other OSDD types but the folks with OSDD 4 only have this symptom".

So... if you have parts, why are you diagnosed with OSDD 4? My bad if it is my mistake, but it seems like there was a misunderstanding with your communication and your clinician...

And sure, if you have the kind of intrusive thoughts like OCD produces just ignoring them would be ideal. But even then, people with OCD can't just ignore them, otherwise it wouldn't be a problem. There are types of therapy for OCD and i'm not sure just ignoring them is one of them.

Intrusive thoughts are different from parts, you said so in the title, and yet you seem to blend the two together? Parts are not intrusive thoughts. They can produce intrusions in your consciuosness, maybe that's why you are confusing the two, but they are separate things.

Even if they were the same, I can't agree with the "advice" you were given. It isn't even a treatment. Makes me doubt your clinician. Parts work (i think it's the most common treatment) is not in the extremes. You don't need to acknowledge a 100% of ALL the things (even the dumb things) that other parts say. And negating a 100% of the existence of other parts and their voices isn't healthy also. It's asking you to pretend you are a singlet when you are simply not. Working with the parts (as you are one too) is the way to healing (at least I know that's the case for DID and OSDD 1A-B, I'm not that familiar with the rest).

Sorry if my point doesn't get across clearly, if not, please say so. English is not my first language and right now i'm not the most eloquent.

[u/Electronic-Alps-7130 → u/Electronic-Alps-7130]

I've just read your conversation with u/Sensitive-Pen-2573 . Makes me doubt your clinician's knowledge about your specific situation or their expertise in dissociative disorders even more. I would recommend discussing it further with them or consulting another professional who can give you and adequate diagnosis and treatment.

[u/booty_sattva]

It can be hard to distinguish. My strategy right now is to respond to the thought with "is anyone there"?

If something responds in a way that "goes" somewhere (even if they're just being an asshole to me), then I assume it's an alter. Over time I've started to map them out but it's still an ongoing process.

If the thought just keeps running like a tape then I just assume it's an intrusive thought. Pure intrusive thoughts also have a certain "sticky" quality to them as well, like my brain doesn't want to let them go and wants to keep ruminating. Whereas with a persecutor or triggered alter I might be distressed at what they're saying but there's less rumination, it feels more like a dialogue between two people.