Hi! A kind of intro post/ looking for support as a plural person(s) in the psychiatric system

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Hey, so we've hovered around this space for a couple years but never actually posted or commented. We really appreciate some of the depth of conversation being had, but also find the constant dichotomy and controversy between the DID and plural communities frustrating.

From our stance it feels as though many of us do in fact experience many similarities in our systems, whether the system has CPTSD or not, and also noting that many (non DID dx) plural systems have also experienced trauma but perhaps don't have access to appropriate diagnosing, care, or understanding, or on the other hand reject the disorder paradigm.

I digress;

We are a system that has been in the UK mental health system since adolescence and we have experienced extensive adverse and traumatic experiences during these times. Currently we are held under section in an acute ward and to put it lightly, are really struggling to be understood.

We've been experiencing severe and prolonged dissociative symptoms as long as we can remember, but because of our identity, risk profile, and other factors, have struggled to have our dissociative symptoms recognized and supported.

We realized we were a system about 5 years ago (we are now in early 20’s) and have tried so hard to embrace this as who we are, and use this plurality of mind to our advantage and to help us cope and live with our past, reality, and experiences of present. The thing is however, we are still experiencing severe dissociation (amnesia, trance states, altered states, DPDR, age regression, somatoform/FND and acute confusion). we SO want to reject the disorder paradigm (though are totally glad if it's working for yous) regardless of whether our system was created organically or by the impact of trauma (the answer is both in our case), but right now we need help, and we are instead being continually let down, gaslit, belittled, pathologised, shrunk, simplified and blamed by professionals. Our expansive experience of plurality, reality, and dissociation are not honoured, and the result is leaving us feeling alone, without community, understanding, support, validation, safety, recovery, or, really, being seen.

I suppose we are looking for signposts in how to get acknowledgement and support for DID, any tips on how you and your system manage safety and look after all of yous mental health, some gentle encouragement on embracing and believing yourself and put that self-gaslighting to rest! 

and finally just looking for community and support in those that understand that our brains and bodyspiritminds, are so much more complicated, beautiful, web like, expansive, and impossible than any professional or clinician has the willingness to understand.

If you read though, thank you comrade, till soon! - Sol/Sami