Understanding Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Understanding mental health conditions can often be a challenging task due to the complexities and nuances inherent in each disorder. One such condition is the Other Specified Dissociative Disorder, commonly referred to as OSDD. This article aims to shed light on OSDD, breaking down its key aspects in a manner easily comprehensible to those without a medical background.

OSDD stands for Other Specified Dissociative Disorder. It is a category of dissociative disorders in which a person's symptoms do not fully align with other established dissociative disorders such as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Dissociative Amnesia, or Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder, yet the symptoms are severe enough to cause significant distress or impairment.
Dissociation, the key characteristic of these disorders, refers to a disconnection or lack of continuity between a person's thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity.

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Signs & symptoms

Symptoms of OSDD can vary widely based on the subtype, but some common experiences may include:
- A feeling of being detached or disconnected from oneself
- Experiencing one's self and the world as unreal or dreamlike
- Observing oneself from an outsider perspective
- Involuntary and intrusive switches to alternate identities
- Difficulty in remembering personal information or past events

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of OSDD is conducted by a mental health professional and typically involves a comprehensive evaluation. This includes taking a detailed history of symptoms, assessing the individual's experiences of dissociation, and ruling out other physical and mental health conditions that could be causing the symptoms. The process may also involve psychological assessments to further understand the individual's symptoms and experiences.

There are two common forms of OSDD:
* OSDD-1: This type is similar to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) but does not meet all the criteria for a DID diagnosis, sometimes referred to as "Partial dissociative identity disorder." There are a few subtypes under this classification differentiating in the presentation and presence of amnesia as part of the symptoms.

* OSDD-2: This type applies to individuals who experience chronic and recurrent dissociative symptoms, such as depersonalization and derealization, but whose experiences do not fit the criteria for other specific dissociative disorders.

Treatment

OSDD can be effectively managed with a combination of psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Therapy goals typically focus on improving coping mechanisms, processing trauma, and improving communication and cooperation between alternate identities in the case of OSDD-1. The specific treatment plan is personalized and may involve a combination of these therapies, depending on the individual's needs and preferences.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital