31/01/2017
Although things have been quiet on here of late, due to various reasons, I just wanted to acknowledge the recent M Night Shambles film that has recently hit the box office. I'll leave the artistic and critical commentary of the film for other discussions... but I need to comment upon the mis-use of D.I.D as a vehicle for "story telling", character development and plot in clearly a fantasy-led horror/thriller/potential future super hero/villain flick. (whoops spoiler, sorry not sorry)
I would hope that, being on this page, you realise this film IS NOT an accurate depiction of what it is like to have D.I.D.
It's that simple.
We, as people with D.I.D. are not monsters.
We are not murderers, hostage takers, nor evil comic book villains.
although, it has to be said, we ARE superheroes in our own right...
We are humans, with a history of horrific trauma and are a result of surviving that trauma. We have lives, feelings, purpose and worth. Like everyone else, we are just trying to survive in the best way we can, with what we have. It is our histories, and our fierce will to survive, that make us extraordinary.
D.I.D is a real condition, backed by science, researched, documented with effective treatments and support available. There are National and International organisations of Professionals and peer-led groups doing great work to further understanding, provide support, care and treatment.
Our brains are indeed remarkable, and we are capable of some amazing skills, talents and abilities that can sometimes beggar belief. We might equally struggle to make sense of what was then, and what is now, which might present itself to other people as some pretty weird goings on or behaviour. It is not an act. We are not Actors playing several roles. I admire James McAvoy's skills, but this sh*t's real.
And, sadly, some people with D.I.D do have Alters that reflect the perpetrators that hurt them. By all means, not everyone with D.I.D has this and even if they do, are far more likely to harm themselves than another person. However, it is dangerous to sensationalise an already misunderstood and maligned condition, with an aspect that has clearly not been researched enough in the production of the script, and used to further the plot of a high budget hollyweird flick. I am saddened that yet another opportunity has been lost to furthering the myth that this extremely difficult to live with condition makes people freakish, dangerous monsters.
In real life, generally, we may simply be the person staring blankly into space whilst waiting in line at the checkout, or who appears to be a little jumpy and anxious in a crowd. We survived. Our behaviour is a normal reaction to extraordinary circumstances.
Please, don't perpetuate the stigma.
If you are affected personally by D.I.D, lean on your supporters and look after your wonderful superhero selves.
Above all else,everyone, please enjoy the film for what it is, a fantasy. When its over, learn what it is really like to have Dissociative Identity Disorder and please, please please don't confuse the two.
