hey. yeah... controversial... but i like the view of mental disorder where mental disorders are dimensional rather than categorical. there are dimensional vs categorical distinctions to be made all over the place:

- is being mentally ill categorically different (a difference in kind) from not being mentally ill or is it just a difference in degree?
- is having one mental disorder as opposed to another mental disorder a categorical difference (a difference in kind) or a difference in degree?
- is having a symptom of a mental disorder (e.g., delusion) a categorical difference (a difference in kind) or a difference in degree?
and so on...

I think all of these are best captured dimensionally (a difference in degree) rather than categorically (a difference in kind) though i think it fair to say that most disagree with me...

> this sounds similar to ego states?

sure.

> I don't believe ego states are considered as dissociated as multiple personalities

difference in degree, sure. the 'categorical difference' is supposed to be in amnesia, but that too can be a matter of degree... what is the difference between:

- i don't remember
- i can't remember
- i won't remember

?

who knows...

i was dx'd with DID (dissociative identity disorder formerly known as multiple personality disorder). but how much of that was a response to my treatment (or lack thereof) in the public system? who knows... i don't think it matters anyway. i don't think the dx matters... i just want someone to help me work towards what it is that i want out of life...

but yeah, it is hard sometimes.