WHERE TO FIND HELP? – START HERE

We set up PODS in 2010 in order to help people find appropriate support and to do whatever we can to make recovery from dissociative disorders a reality. First off, we’ll provide some pointers as to what we can offer directly, and then what other sources of help are out there.

START WITH OUR WEBSITE

We have an entire section of our website dedicated to information: click here. You’ll find over 125 articles, many by Carolyn Spring, as well as a large number from other survivors and also a number of professionals working in this field. The articles are divided into various categories:

• Dissociative survivors’ experience
• Treating dissociation
• Dissociation FAQs
• Getting help and a diagnosis
• Crisis care and grounding
• Explaining dissociation and DID
• Child-sexual-abuse
• Impact on the body

INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION ABOUT DISSOCIATION AND DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS

We have produced a leaflet called Information for Professionals: Dissociative Identity Disorder which is also relevant to survivors. You can download a free PDF here, or you can buy the printed version here.

There are also a number of articles on the PODS website which provide information that might be helpful:

• What is dissociation?
• What are the usual responses to trauma?
• What is dissociative disorder not otherwise specified (DDNOS)?
• What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)?
• What causes dissociative identity disorder?

OUR PUBLICATIONS

We have produced a range of books, booklets and other resources relevant to recovery from trauma and dissociation. You can find them all here.

WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE ON THE PHONE?

PODS offers a support service and helpline run by Elisabeth Allan, who also manages our counselling service:

• The helpline is open on a Tuesday between 1.00pm and 5.00pm (0800 181 4420). More details are here
• Outside of these times you can call 01480 413582 and leave a message and Elisabeth will get back to you
• You can email elisabeth@pods-online.org.uk
• For details of helplines run by other organisations please click here

WHAT THERAPY IS ABOUT

Some articles you also might find helpful to read:

• What is the recommended treatment approach for therapy for dissociative identity disorder?
• The three phase approach: part one – safety and stabilisation
• The three phase approach: part two – treating trauma
• The three phase approach: part three – consolidation, integration and reconnection
• Making the most of therapy
• Ten roadblocks to recovery
• ISSTD treatment guidelines

OTHER ARTICLES

Some other articles you might find helpful:

• How is dissociative identity disorder diagnosed?
• What are the diagnostic criteria for the dissociative disorders?
• Dissociative identity disorder (DID) or dissociative disorder not otherwise specified (DDNOS): does it matter?
• DSM-5: what’s new in the criteria for dissociative disorders?
• The quest for diagnosis

IS RECOVERY POSSIBLE?

At PODS we believe firmly the answer is YES! Though it can be a hard and long journey. Some articles which might be of encouragement are:

• Can we heal?
• Recovery is my best revenge
• My recovery from child sexual abuse
• Making a life worth living
• Managing triggers: part one
• Managing triggers: part two
• Managing flashbacks

SEEKING A DIAGNOSIS

The first step towards assessing the likelihood of a dissociative disorder is to fill in some screening tools. You can read more about this and find the tools here.

LOOKING FOR SUPPORT GROUPS?

We currently aren’t in a position to run any face-to-face support groups but we are aware of other organisations who do offer such services. There are also organisations who offer group therapy/counselling sessions. These groups tend to be facilitated by a trained counsellor/psychotherapist and follow more of a structure than support groups. You can find out about these groups here.

INFORMATION FOR PROFESSIONALS

The support service is also open to professionals and supporters who are welcome to email or call Elisabeth. She also offers supervision.

We would really recommend PODS training days to all professionals. You can find out more about our training here.

Our leaflet Information for Professionals: Dissociative Identity Disorder can be downloaded as a free PDF here, or you can buy the printed version here.

These articles might be helpful to pass on to your therapist (if you already have one) or to other professionals:

• What causes dissociative identity disorder?
• Pseudogenic, iatrogenic or traumagenic? – How do we know that DID is real?
• The problem of prevalence – how common is DID?
• Ten steps to becoming a dissociation-friendly therapist
• A brief guide to working with dissociative identity disorder
• Working with Dissociative Identity Disorder
• What role does medication play in treating dissociative identity disorder?

OUTSIDE THE UK?

Our support service is open to those outside of the UK. Elisabeth does email and speak on the phone with people from Australia, the USA and other areas. The ISSTD treatment guidelines do apply internationally. You might also find the following external websites helpful:

• ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation)
• ESTD (European Society for the Trauma and Dissociation
• The Dissociative Initiative (Australia)
• Trauma & Dissociation Unit, Belmont Hospital (Brisbane Australia)
• Sidran Institute (USA)
• Survivorship (USA)
• An Infinite Mind (USA)
• McLean Hospital Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Program (USA)
• Sheppard Pratt Trauma Disorders Program (USA)
• A number of international websites and blogs