Book Description

Our Collective Life is a non-fiction memoir of a person diagnosed with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder) is a condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in the one body. In our case we are the Collective, a group of 19 individuals (at the time of writing) sharing a body and trying to navigate our way through this one life. We each have unique personality traits and characteristics as well as differing thoughts, opinions and often even memories.To an outsider or a layperson, this book may sound like a work of fiction. However as crazy as it may sound, this is our life. The book is written primarily surrounding a period when Jo (the one born into the body) was struggling with severe depression, suicidal tendencies and guilt as well as the strong denial that is often characteristic of those with DID. Through the pages, the reader will understand more of the therapeutic process we all continue to undertake, as well as follow our journey as we learn more about Jo and ourselves.NB. It is widely accepted that DID invariably arises due to severe abuse/neglect in the early childhood. Whilst there is mention of episodes of abuse/trauma, Our Collective Life does NOT go into graphic detail about these incidents. There is however, swearing/cussing and graphic details of self-injury.