Episode 87: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)—formerly known as multiple personality disorder—is one of the most misunderstood mental health diagnoses. Shaped by sensational media portrayals, misconceptions about DID persist among the general public and distorted notions extend to mental health professionals, given their limited clinical exposure to individuals with the condition. In this remixed episode, we revisit an important conversation that offers an inside look at DID with the goal of separating myth from reality.
This episode explores how DID develops as an adaptive response to severe and chronic childhood trauma, when dissociation becomes a necessary survival strategy. The discussion helps listeners understand how dissociation protects the individual, what switching between identity states can look like, and why DID is so frequently misdiagnosed—often leaving individuals in treatment for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
Joining host Debra Sloss are Dr. Alisa Brady, a clinical psychologist and trauma specialist, and Clay Whitten, who lives with DID. Together, they share clinical insight and lived experience, bringing clarity, compassion, and nuance to a condition that is often misunderstood. Clay also discusses how Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy has supported their healing. This episode invites listeners to engage with DID through an informed, humane, and stigma-reducing lens.
Broadcasts: 2/1/26 & 2/9/26
Producer & Host: Debra Sloss, LMFT
Guests: Alisa Brady, PhD & Clay Whitten
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🧠ABOUT STATE OF MIND
State of Mind is an all-volunteer produced mental health and wellness podcast and radio show hosted by psychotherapist Debra Sloss. Through intimate, story-rich conversations with guests and experts, we explore the complexity of being human and how to live well. Learn more at stateofmindmedia.org. Produced with support from KSQD Community Radio.
🙏 SPECIAL THANKS
Audio Production: VJ Lukka, Jeanne Baldzikowski & Youssef Hassanein
Volunteer Coordination: Evelyn Campbell
Story Coaching: Patrice Vecchione
Research: Melony Dominguez & Sara Isenberg
Transcriptions: Tanmayi Kademani
Marketing Direction: Youssef Hassanein
Graphic Design: Priscilla Yee & Grishma Jain
Content Production: Austin Gautreau
Data Management: Loan Tran
Theme Music: Adrian Legg & Favored Nations Entertainment
RESOURCE LIST
*Indicates a Monterey Bay Area resource
DID Supportז
Ivory Garden – An online forum where you can meet others with DID, read posts, or write on the forum to receive feedback. It is a compassionate space that invites asking questions, sharing experience, or starting conversations with others who “really get it.”
Multiplied by One – A website that offers a comprehensive list of DID specific resources including DID podcasts, more information on the diagnosis, and a magazine. They also offer support groups for those with DID or DDNOS, family members or supporters, and many others.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) National – an organization and website providing extensive free education and support, advocacy and resources for persons with mental health issues and their families and friends. While NAMI is a national organization, they have local chapters and offer free support groups and share the local resources for mental health support.
* NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Santa Cruz – Santa Cruz local chapter that provides free support groups and education classes for persons with mental health issues and their families and friends. All services are free to access.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Hotlines & Warmlines
| Crisis Lines | 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—Call or Text 988
Crisis Text Line—Text “Home” to 741-741
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline—Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline—Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
|
| Warmlines | California Peer-Run Warmline—Call or Text 1-855-600-WARM (9276)
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Trauma Treatment
Wings Recovery – An intensive mental health treatment facility that provides gender-specific treatment and focuses on the treatment of trauma and dissociation.
Phone: (866) 427-4836
Media & Additional Reading
Petals of a Rose – This is a short film (about 15 mins) that is a helpful tool for sharing with friends and family about what DID is and what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone with DID. This film realistically portrays DID and why it happens. There are two variations: one with a triggering scene and a redacted version.
Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training for Patients and Therapists by Suzette Boon, Kathy Steele & Onno Van Der Hart (1st Edition) – This book is a good resource for therapists and clients and gives specific strategies for managing dissociation.
EMDR and Dissociation: The Progressive Approach by Anabel Gonzalez & Dolores Moscuera (2012) – This book is mainly for clinicians and gives great insight into dissociation and strategies for helping people heal.
Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder – Source: National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine
Harvard Rev Psychiatry. 2016 Jul; 24(4): 257–270. Published online 2016 Jul 8.
Clay’s Personal Recommendations
Coping Skill Cards: I worked with my therapist on making cards that help me when I’m having a hard time. One side may say “when dissociating” or “when struggling with urges” and the other side can offer many coping skills that can help me in the moment. These are especially helpful when my thinking brain is offline. If I can get a part of me to look and use the card, I can then curb a lot of unwanted behavior and choose a positive one that is on the card.
General Counseling Support
*Family Service Agency (FSA) of the Central Coast is a dedicated underwriter of State of Mind. FSA provides resources, support, and counseling services to adults and children. FSA believes in the power and potential of people of all ages and backgrounds to discover their own creative solutions and welcomes people of diverse cultures, genders, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, socio–economic backgrounds. FSA Counseling Offices offer Medi–Cal, Medicare, and low–cost, sliding scale services in both downtown Santa Cruz and Soquel.
831–423–9444 x200 and in Soquel 831–346–6767 x200.
*Shine a Light Counseling Center – Offering quality, affordable counseling at offices in Santa Cruz, Watsonville and Monterey. The center provides individual, family, couple and group counseling, including men’s groups.
Phone: 831-996-1222
*Indicates a Monterey Bay Area resource
