About this course
Many eating disorder providers assume they have never worked with a client with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD-1). In reality, with a combined global prevalence of approximately 5.7%-7.2%, most eating disorder clinicians have treated someone with DID/OSDD-often without realizing it. This includes a notable proportion of clients with severe and enduring eating disorders (SEED), where dissociation can be especially prevalent and overlooked. The result: many remain undiagnosed, unable to access appropriate care, or are inadvertently harmed in treatment. This session will clarify what DID and OSDD are, dispel common myths, and provide practical strategies for recognizing and more effectively supporting clients with these disorders in the context of eating disorder treatment. We will explore the unique ways dissociation can shape ED presentation, complicate recovery, and impact treatment progress. Through a blend of didactic teaching, lived experience, and case examples, attendees will learn how to: Identify key indicators of DID/OSDD in eating disorder clients. Build therapeutic rapport with distinct internal parts. Apply two practical interventions-such as system mapping and between-session communication strategies-to enhance recovery outcomes. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the dissociative system and concrete tools to begin integrating dissociation-informed care into their work, improving long-term outcomes for clients with both DID and eating disorders.
