Got Parts?: an Insider's Guide to Managing Life Successfully with Dissociative Identity Disorder

by A T W

Got Parts? is a practical self-help guide for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. It is filled with coping strategies, techniques, and hopes for DID survivors to master real-life issues in relationships, work, parenting, school, time-management, self-care, and medical treatment.

Got Parts? is the first book from Loving Healing Press in the New Horizons in Therapy Series edited by psychologist Robert Rich. This exciting new series plans to bring you the best of person-centered therapies in practical application, theory, and self-help formats. Robert Rich, M.Sc., Ph.D., M.A.P.S., A.A.S.H. is a highly experienced counseling psychologist.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Self Help, Mental Illness, Autobiography

Paperback

First published December 15, 2004

Reviews

[knot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't gotten very far through this book but I'm not sure I'm going to bother finishing. It has some useful bits, but also some potentially damaging and frankly just plain incorrect information. Accusing readers - *trauma survivors* - of being deceitful when they say "I don't know who I am" (which is a totally normal experience) is an awful thing to do.
The section on headspaces (referred to as "domes") is pretty good, and we may still dip back into this book now and again, but we're going to be a lot more sceptical from now on.

[Heather Browne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very strange playful almost patronizing style which felt disrespectful to me for a very challenging and disturbing condition to endure. Techniques were good but presentation made it frustrating to read, Basic coverage was adequate. A template of what needs to/is happening. I would have appreciated clinical examples.

[Cole peers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was tossing up between a 3 and a 4. As someone with DID I thought a lot was useful and it was nice hearing a book from people with the disorder. However some things that were rules for their system they talk about as if they are required for every system. This isn’t and shouldn’t be the case. Every system is different and people need to be aware not all of what is said in this book will work for them and they shouldn’t feel shamed because of it.

[Gohnar23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very first DID "self help" books that i have read but honestly i wouldn't classify this book as self help really (i despise self help books, its a disease to non fiction books) this is more of an in depth, from DID patients and therapists experiences rnd informations about DID.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

very simple easy read. Felt a little patronising but maybe good if you just got diagnosed.

[LAURI CRUMLEY COATES · Rating 5 out of 5]

We often see characters in tv shows and movies who have multiple personality disorder. They are usually not portrayed realistically. This book sheds a tremendous amount of light on a much misunderstood malady. Today, we refer to this disorder as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). This name for the disorder is much more descriptive of the actual disorder. Previously, it was believed by most to be an extremely rare condition, bought on by some sort of trauma. Today, psychologists understand that DID is a fairly common outcome of individuals, often young children, who have endured severe trauma, usually cruel and repeated physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse. Additionally, the patient often lacks attachment to others.

To be diagnosed with DID, a person exhibits two or more distinct personalities. or identities that may alternate taking control of the person's consciousness, actions and behavior. While the person may exhibit a wide range of symptoms, the most common appear to be depression, memory loss, substance or drug abuse, panic and/or anxiety attacks, entering a "trance-like" state, sleeping or eating disorders, distrust of others, and lack of self care or hygene.

The author, A.T.W., is a survivor of DID, and has written a book of rarely seen depth and explanation of the disorder. The book discusses and explains the work and steps taken by the author, her Therapist and the therapy group. DID is a serious disorder, and while the book offers exceptional methods and techniques, it is not meant to work alone to handle the disorder. Individuals suffering DID would best be served by utilizing the exercises in the book with a qualified therapist. , it is not a substitute for intense therapy, but instead a worthwhile tool for use in conjunction with a qualified therapist.

A person with DID needs numerous coping mechanisms and an understanding of the disorder. With the proper help, it is possible for the patient to learn to work with his or her differing identities, integrating them to work together to allow the patient to live a fulfilling and satisfying life. Focusing on individual responsibility, I think this book could be a groundbreaking work in the field of DID. It offers a hopeful, helpful, understanding guide for those surviving with DID and their families. Highly recommended, and offers rare insight and understanding.

[Starrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and affirming read. I think best suited for if you are just starting out on realizing you have or accepting that you have DID. Parts of it did feel a bit "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" like, and of course this work cannot really account for any comorbid issues you may also struggle with. Nonetheless, I think it is a good read for anyone who is struggling with DID or cares for someone who is struggling with DID.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely outdated. It presents some ideas as facts and necessity when really every system is different. There are different ways of engaing with the parts of a system now. I worry that the harshness of some of the rules in this book will do more damage than the insights offered in the book. For example, someone with trauma writing out everything you know about your past is a very intense and often impossible experience without someone to help you through it. Not to mention repeating the process with all of your parts! Nowadays, in EMDR therapy at least, this method is outdated and often does more harm than good. The fact that this book *requires* parts to share everything they hold and remember *before* they can enter the calm space feels very punitive. I believe that offering the calm space and building trust will allow the parts to feel safe enough to share their stories and heal. Thus, I cannot recommend this book and may keep it to show my clients some of the artwork as ideas, but I think that's about it, unfortunately. A product of its time. I'm glad it was written, *and* there are much better books out there, like Dissociation Made Simple.

[Jamie Klos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing for people with DID! I love how it was written by someone who had DID for people with DID. At first when reading it, I saw that it talked about re-integration and thought "integration is not the goal for most people". After reading further, I saw that the book talks about re-integration to mean all parts learning to work together in harmony so that to the outside world, they could just be one person. That seems like a worthy goal for people with DID! As I was reading, there were a lot of instructions and suggestions that I thought "if my friend with DID could implement these, they would make her life so much easier". It's possible that not all of the suggestions will work for everyone with DID, but I think it's still worth the read to get ideas on how life could be different and more streamlined. I would encourage anyone with DID to read it!

[Carrie Fleharty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what it was like living with somebody with Dissociative Identity Disorder formerly called multiple personality disorder? Then this book will enlighten you. This book is for those people who would like to know more about the disorder and for those who are living with the disorder. I have found this to be very beneficial and helpful for me to understand Dissociative Identity Disorder or D.I.D. There is no cure, there is lots of hard work, but this disorder can be managed. If you want to understand this disorder better then this is the book. I found everything that was written very helpful, and very informative.

[GDavis · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are great practical tools that can be used. However, the modality pertaining to sex is counterproductive and has negative ramifications in a spiritual and natural context. I don't believe the author is a Christian but I still see value. It was very helpful in me addressing a friend that is DID. I was able to recognize the presenting parts, garner trust and employ appropriate healthy measures and tools for my friend. I am a firm believer that you can't fix a thing if you don't identify it first.

[Obnubilación · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a book easy to read, to digest and understand. It's not a scientific one neither a protocol or whatever. Just a person giving advice and thoughts on that has seen or worked and that's fine. People doing the review asks some perspectives they would like but everyone has different experiences with DID and I think it's good to hear another one.

I only had problem with the materials at the end, there are some... of dubious origin that I wouldn't recommend, like pretty esoteric ones.

It's what it says and does it good enough. That's why my score, it could be better.

[Jason Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid foundation to begin with, although a little like DID For Dummies. That's not completely bad though. It's nice to have something that basic to build from and to fall back on. This would be a good book for the newly diagnosed or for family and friends.

[Gazanfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a nice little book. more like an intro to give you hope. it doesnt ever mention state violence or how doctors can be inflicting trauma etc. i understand its empowering to focus on what you can control etc but the book completely ignores trauma that comes from systemic oppression.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had lots of good information for me. I was reading it to better understand a family who has recently been diagnosed with DID. A lot of things applied to my family member and now I know how to talk to them and how not too.

[Lore LongSoulSystem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic but handy and friendly :)

[Danielle Calloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible guide

I don't have MPD, yet this book helps me understand it and my friend better. Well written. I highly recommend this book.

[CawfeeDrinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult and important content.

[Coriander · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only real complaint with this book is wanting more.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful. Practical advice.

[Lo]

After reading this, I can see why the reviews are mixed. This book seems to be wonderful at what it does, but that's a little different than most books in the field.

If you're looking for something scholarly, there are better options. This provides a detailed glimpse of what it's like to live with an exceptionally misunderstood illness, in a warm, funny, human voice, and is very well-done if that's what you want.

[Angie crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book. A must read for those who are multiple. Contains all sorts of interesting things. Written by a multiple system. Contains stuff about managing life, practical things.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the very few good books I have read about treating and living with DID

[Vera · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read, it held some good ideas and helpful tips, but most of these tips and tricks are useful for smaller systems, rather than large ones.

[Anjuli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, beginner, self-help book for people with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). Not written for professionals.

[Liz Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little cheesy at times, but overall good and with interesting information.