Library
DID Resources
Trusted organizations, writing from people with lived experience, self-tests, and other support communities — gathered with help from our longtime member Morgan (Shirley J. Davis).
Organizations & information
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)
The leading professional organization for trauma and dissociation, with information for the public and a therapist directory.
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)
Research and public resources on traumatic stress, including Remembering Childhood Trauma.
European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS)
A European network sharing research and information about traumatic stress.
Blue Knot Foundation
Self-help resources for adult survivors of childhood trauma.
The Colin Ross Institute
Information, books, and programs on trauma and dissociation.
The Dana Foundation: Wounds That Time Won’t Heal
An article on the neurobiology of child abuse.
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (NAASCA)
Recovery information for adult survivors of child abuse.
The Trauma Therapist Project
Podcast interviews with trauma therapists and experts.
Blogs by people with lived experience
Written by an Ivory Garden member
Dissociative Identity Disorder in a Nutshell
Shirley J. Davis’s website, with articles covering almost every topic relevant to DID.
HealthyPlace: Dissociative Living
A long-running blog about everyday life with dissociative disorders.
Beyond Survivor: The Wounded Warrior Blog
Writing for and about male survivors.
Real Dissociative
A lived-experience blog about DID.
This Is Not Dissociative
A lived-experience blog about dissociation.
Self-tests
A gentle caution from Morgan: Anyone considering taking any kind of self-diagnostic test should always, always contact a medical or mental health professional. If your score indicates a high likelihood that you live with DID, please don’t panic. Call and get a professional opinion.
Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS) & Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)
Two widely used screening tools, from the Colin Ross Institute.
Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20 and SDQ-5)
Questionnaires about body-based dissociation, by Ellert Nijenhuis.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Quiz
A short quiz, with an explanation of what it does and doesn’t mean.
For Ivory Garden members
The Ivory Garden DID Quiz
Felicity’s private, self-scoring quiz is available to members on our forum.
Online safety: before you join another group
Guidelines for evaluating external online groups, maintaining personal privacy, and protecting your well-being in digital trauma spaces.
1. Privacy & account protection
- Pseudonyms: Use a username that is separate from your real name, location, or handle used on personal social media.
- Dedicated contact info: Consider creating a separate, private email address specifically for registering on trauma forums.
- Identifiable details: Avoid posting specific personal identifiers like exact locations, workplace names, or full names of individuals involved in your personal history.
2. Evaluating moderation & structure
- Clear guidelines: Safe spaces maintain written rules regarding triggering content, harassment, and privacy limits.
- Active moderation: Look for platforms with visible, responsive moderators who enforce community standards consistently.
- Intake process: Many structured groups require a basic application or screening process to prevent bad actors from entering.
3. Personal boundaries & safety red flags
- Private messages (DMs): Be cautious with unsolicited private messages from unfamiliar members offering personal advice or demanding private contact.
- Pressure to share: You are never obligated to share details about your trauma, diagnosis, or system history. Respectful communities honour your pace.
- No financial requests: Be wary of platforms or individual members asking for money, personal gifts, or private financial details.
4. Technical security considerations
- Secure browsing: Check that the site URL begins with
https://to ensure your web connection is encrypted. - Shared devices: If using a shared or public computer, always log out completely after your session and clear your browser history.
- Search engine visibility: Be aware of whether a forum’s sub-boards are indexable by search engines or restricted to registered members only.
Remember: Your online safety and peace of mind come first. If an online environment feels chaotic, boundary-stepping, or unsafe, it is completely acceptable to step back or leave the space.
DID & dissociative disorder communities
7 Cups: Dissociative Identity Disorder Community
An online emotional support platform with community message boards and chat rooms focused on DID, grounding techniques, and peer connection.
MySupportForums: Dissociative Disorders
A long-standing mental health community with a sub-forum for people managing DID, OSDD, and depersonalization/derealization.
Complex PTSD & trauma recovery communities
CPTSD Foundation Peer Support
Daily, trauma-informed peer support chats and group programs for survivors of complex relational trauma, childhood abuse, and severe PTSD.
Out of the Storm (CPTSD Forum)
A long-standing, quiet, supportive online forum for survivors of relational trauma and Complex PTSD.
MyPTSD Forum
One of the largest forums for PTSD and CPTSD survivors, with threads organized by topic and support for family members.
Eating disorder & trauma support
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
A free helpline staffed by licensed therapists (1-866-662-1235), plus free support groups and help finding treatment.
ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)
Free virtual peer support groups led by trained volunteers with lived recovery experience, including spaces for trauma-impacted people.
Center for Discovery Recovery Communities
Free, confidential weekly online support groups for people navigating eating disorders alongside trauma or anxiety.
Disclaimer: External forums and support spaces maintain their own safety rules and community moderation standards. Always review a platform’s guidelines before registering or sharing personal details. Some links on this page are older and may have moved over time.
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