writing a book?

My therapist today suggested with everything we are going through and the fact that we keep written records of everything that to help us in our journey along the "healing" path we write a book about what we go through/ have gone through. I'm wondering what everyone thinks about that idea.... and if they have any suggestions on how best to write it. or books i could look at that have been written by DIDers about themselves. she also suggested that we "take part" in a study to help professionals understand what it's like to be like us. if anyone has any ideas on who we could contact about that too would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks you all....
Danielle

We think it's a good idea.....
But be careful....
Most T's ideas of "healing" include getting rid of alters...
(Webber)Erik

I'm a nonfiction writer and intend to do the same; however, I'm very careful regarding the whole accuracy of memory stuff. There's already a huge issue in the memoir industry as it pertains to lawsuits by family members, friends, etc. In fact, I just recently read an article in Writers Chronicle about steps an author and publisher can take to protect themselves. This would be an even greater issue with DID; however, I'm putting a lot of thought behind how to develop a technique that can still tell my story (including the abuse) without the threat of a lawsuit.

I would not recommend that you look at other DID memoirs since they may "pollute" your own style. Rather, look at memoirs in general (and if you can handle it, ones that deal with abusive childhoods, like White Castle) and start reading a lot of creative nonfiction. Here's some journals to help you on your way to learning the craft: Writers Chronicle, Fourth Genre, and Creative Nonfiction.

To start, maybe you should try writing smaller personal essays and then gradually work up into the larger piece. In fact, you'll notice that many memoirs and larger creative nonfiction pieces are a compilation of smaller essays. White Castle is like that: It's a lot of very small stories strung together to form a whole. Much like DID, I guess.

All that being said, I'm back in my hometown right now doing research for a small piece. I've come to realize that due to the dissociation, I'll need to write stories that I can substantiate with facts: court records, newspapers, etc.

Feel free to pm me if you'd like more info.

thats a great idea. But think its actually unethical for the therapist to suggest this or do it. I think you should write it alone. Then there wont be any business disputes or anything like that. There is only one book i'v read that is a memoir of therapy by therapist and client and it is by irvin yalom it was so boring a never finished it.wouldn't recommend any one read it.

Actually its not unethical or against any therapy rules for a mental health person or any other profession to suggest writing a memoir. In fact most doctors, psychiatrists and therapists find keeping journals (memoirs, diaries, poetry, prose its called many things in many areas) to be quite healing and therapeutic. not just for mental disorders either. if you google just about any topic you can find a momoir by lots of people on what ever topic you google. last semester I had to do term papers on depression, breast cancer and Multiple Sclorosis. I found that many doctors and psychiatrists and therapists have included journaling, writing memoirs, poetry, prose as a huge part of their clients healing process.

I have also had 5 different therapists, medical doctors and psychiatrists, include journaling/writing memoirs as part of my treatment plans. a few of them even supplied the writing supplies and flash drives that they keep in stock specifically for the purpose of having their cleints do journaling/writing work.

A few of my therapists have helped me alot in documenting my extensive therapeutic journey because they had documentation to things that I didnt remember and because sometimes I was in altered states of mind so I was unaware of what was going on. the therapists documents supplied that information for me.

One thing to remember is that just because a therapist wants someone to write down their healing journey and history with the problem that they are seeing them for does not mean that journal/memoir is gonig to be published.

I just wanted to correct the title of the book I recommended above. I suggested White Castle. The title of the book is Glass Castle.

Thanks,
Writing

thanks everyone...

samantha

If you determine that writing is in your best interests for healing, you could write "Fiction" .... Change the names and dates... add some stuff that did not happen... and see where it goes from there. The reason I suggest that is because it is a very easy way to get around the legal stuff fiction brings with it. The downside is many people feel like this negates their personal journey - so they say a big NO CAN DO on this suggestion. For me, it is the way I handle the pain... and it works great ;-)

we wrote a dairy we each had our own story so we felt better that way. as to writing it to publish you will have to change names and location to protect all that are involved.
but for resouces try MPD/DID search. the best source is Sidran.org,
goessoftlyishere.com you hurt my hurt
geocities.com shattered selves
emofree.com
these are the best places for us they helped us before we found this page Just remember to keep a journal of the good times for you and your other parts. becarefull of doning any research groups, make sure that they will honor all your parts not just the top layer. It is only by honoring each part and their story that you will heal as a whole.

"white castle"...the story of how one tiny little hamburger with holes morphed into a whole chain of establishments selling sliders all over the place....

sorry...once again i just couldn't help myslef..i could blame it on a peep inside but hey...sometimes ya just have to take credit for the obnoxious cracks.

i actually wrote a mystery novel and put alot of my abusive family history in the plot ...it was great therapy...outing people all over the place ...of course changing names to protect the guilty... it didn't get printed yet (damn!)

some day i would love to write a book covering the whole story and not make it a mystery novel. i do believe it is a valid story that needs to be told....but until then...i'll have to be content with " white castle...the little slider that could"

stumpy

Ok so, i've been thinking about this for a while, but I think i've found a way around all the problems with writing this book that I want to write to help others.... so i'm thinking about using a psudoname and changing the names of everyone involved.... that way no one is incriminated.... but writing about that fact in an authors note or forward or something like that telling the readers that this is based on a true story that happened to me, but I have changed all names including my name to protect everyone involved. If anyone knows about anything like this, if you could give me input it would be greatly appreciated........ as well, i've also been thinking about getting with some sort of psychology providers and offering interviews/trainings for their therapists and stuff that way they have better more hands on knowledge about DID and will be able to find signs earlier and be able to treat them more effectively.... you know how some psychologists and therapists say they are “specialized” in DID but they really aren't, I want to help all psychologists in my area be able to learn about it and be able to say ok... that helps cause when I was in the hospital no one in there even had an idea.... the pdocs that I talked to in there were all like so you are like one of a kind in the state of indiana and I kindda snickered the dr said what you don't believe that and I was like no I don't they said so you think this disorder is more widespread that what the medical field believes and I was like yeah I do.... and mentioned talking to people from all over the world that experience and show signs of it and it's more than all the statistics that i've seen.... they were like ok.... and also while I was in the hospital I talked to one of the nurses a lot he was very interested in what it was like to be DID and wanted know about it and stuff so I offered him lessons while I was in the hospital it was amazing therapy for us to inform people about what it's like and I think that more of us (people with DID) need to take the initiative to inform the public about this disorder since its almost taboo like and whenever you mention it people think of Sybill.... eugh I hate being compared to that.... Sybill was a very exaggerated case of DID in my opinion.... but anyway if anyone has any ideas drop me a line I accept pms as well if you'd rather not leave what you want to say on the forum.... everyone is welcome to drop a line... and leave me their opinions, thoughts, etc.....

Alexandra

Let me just add: They are serious about those sliders. Did you know that they make them to order, meaning that each and every one is "fresh." No joke, they really do.

Hello tigersassy,

One suggestions for a book to read is titled: Becoming Kate. Author is Katherine St. Clair and Dr.Theodore J. Jansma. It may be hard to find, I had to order my copy from an online book seller. or.....I just checked google or whatever:

from Amazon.com: "Hardcover: 250 pages Publisher: Roundtable Publishing; 1st edition (September 1990) Language: English ISBN-10: 0915677466 ISBN-13: 978-0915677467

It is written by the person having the multiples, over the course of several years, 10 years of therap I think I remember, but with the help of her Pschologist.

It was an intriging book for me. It was back when I was writing book reviews for the local newspaper. Dr. Jansma and Kate were locals as well. I even had the opportunity to interview him about the book which became a part of my published review, but more importantly, I got to ask him questions that weren't written about.

But, all the legal issues aside, I really enjoyed reading about this disorder. I do not have that dx, but have always been interesting in understanding all people.

Hope you decide to write about your life.

I found a review when I searched again that didn't like the book, but I enjoyed it.


Becoming Kate: A Journal Into the Life and the Healing of a Multiple Personality
Authors:Theodore Jansma and Katherine St. ClairPublisher:Roundtable Publishing Co., © 1990
Roundtable Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 6488
Malibu, CA 90264
(310) 457-8433
$19.95 (c)

Description:
This difficult-to-read book is by Theodore Jansma, a psychologist in private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan. No information is provided on Katherine St. Clair; The book is written for a popular audience. In 34 chapters the authors offer a tedious recapitulation of treatment efforts with 230 personalities in a client who claims that she had been raped by her family 20 years ago. The book contains bits of poetry written by various personalities, who were to be fused into one, magically, by the therapist.

Discussion:
The book will confuse readers as to which personality is talking and why. There is a theme of revenge and hatred that runs through both the client's statements and her poetry. No attempt is made to verify or corroborate the accounts of abuse, even though the behaviors alleged are bizarre and improbable. The client claims to have been raped and abused by her parents and grandfather, that she was part of a pornography ring, and that she had her vagina sown together. No one, however, was ever criminally charged.
The book is replete with typing and reproduction errors. The reader is never told why the therapist did what he did. Many of the therapeutic techniques, such as hypnosis and regression, are questionable. There is no talk of planning for the future or helping the client to adjust to society.
The whole flavor of the book can be summed up by one statement: "The basic rule-of-thumb appears to be: the more traumatic and the more ongoing the abuse, the greater the number of personality and personality fragments" (p. 249).
This book is not recommended.
Reviewed by LeRoy G. Schultz, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, West Virginia University.

Hey Tiger sorry I have a question
I hope it does not offend but I am curious
are you using anything people here tell you
to include in the book?.

Once again I hope you are not offended by my question

mainly i'm just wanting to use my experiences.... if someone were to give me permission i might but i'd still change their names.... just because if i change everyone else's names for animosity i'd want to do that with people on here too.... but we would have to have their permission first and foremost.... so don't worry about anything i know i'll mention the site because this has been a huge stepping stone for me.... so many people willing to help... willing to listen... i want other people to experience it and learn from it... you know what i mean? and don't worry about offending us we take no offense...

alex