Life is like a puzzle. Each puzzle piece represents a stage of our life’s story. But what if your life puzzle starts with tragedy, complex trauma, and fear? These puzzle pieces can become misplaced or disorganized. Sometimes, this complex trauma is so tragic, that our mind removes these memories or sequesters them so deeply that a new identity is created to protect us from this tragedy. This is a story of just that. Debbie Klose survived decades of trauma and tragedy. The only thing protecting her was her mind, and the different alters that have existed within her, to get her through life. So much is still unknown about Dissociative Identity Disorder, formally known as multiple personality disorder. Debbie is here to share her story, hoping to help others out there who may be suffering with complex trauma or dissociation. And to help the clinicians who are curious about these conditions to understand more too. While each case is unique and different, there are some similarities. This is Debbie’s story, and the story of her alters, who are all a part of her. Join me, Alicia Haygood, as I dive deep into Dissociative Identity Disorder. It’s a story of courage, resilience, and persistence in the journey to transform from shattered to united.
From Shattered to United: Putting the puzzle back together
Life is like a puzzle. We gain pieces throughout life to form our picture. Debbie is still learning about her puzzle pieces, turning them over one piece at a time. But, Debbie is forming her own puzzle to her life, one that includes her alters in a blended family. Working on it daily, just like you and me. Debbie’s story is one from Shattered to United. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources:National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 26 minutes, 45 seconds
The stigma of D.I.D. and how we can get better
We discuss stigmas and myths about DID, and how we can support and understand one another. Therapist, Bonnie Bordner and Dr. Tara Peyman talk about the importance of being trauma-informed and asking the right questions for a correct diagnosis. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 26 minutes, 4 seconds
What makes a good treatment center and therapist?
Debbie describes her experiences with inpatient and residential treatment facilities. She talks about the need for seeking help and how she determines the right place to stay. We include Bonnie Bordner, a therapist who worked with Debbie at The Cottonwood in Tucson, AZ. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources:National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 27 minutes, 30 seconds
Therapy Experiences and the creation of a new alter
This episode dives into Debbie's therapy journey. She talks about how a good therapist can help in a positive, powerful way. But when therapy goes bad, it can go really bad. And in Debbie's case, create a new adult alter. There are 3 adult alters within Debbie’s DID system. Her whole life, no matter who is operating the body, she has used the name Debbie to refer to herself when engaging with others in a public setting. But within her inner world, there are Debi, sometimes called “Debi with an ‘i’”, Debbie, sometimes referred to as “Debbie IE”, and Deb. You will hear all of these alters tell their story of therapy. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources:National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 37 minutes, 16 seconds
Family Dynamics within the alters
D.I.D and the alters system are unique to each individual. Debbie’s experiences of blending with her alters, and concepts about integration are unique to her. You will hear Debbie share examples of internal communication, internal family dynamics, and how alters change over time. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 27 minutes, 33 seconds
Debbie's D.I.D Diagnosis
Debbie discusses her experiences leading up to her D.I.D diagnosis. She describes her struggles as a young mother, and how she discovered the underlying causes of her condition. We talk about the physiological effects of complex trauma, and different levels of memories in CPTSD. We also discuss how alters can show up as internal voices, and Debbie shares a powerful example of this in her own life. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 24 minutes, 22 seconds
Trauma and the different ways it shows up.
Debbie tells us about her childhood trauma and how certain triggers can bring on alters. We will discuss the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD. We will also discuss the difference between typical flashbacks and emotional flashbacks, and how all of this relates to DID. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
This podcast series will discuss a condition called dissociative identity disorder, or D.I.D. D.I.D usually starts in early childhood. Dissociation is a natural reaction when there is severe and ongoing trauma and the child has no perceived ability to escape or improve the situation. Debbie Klose's story is unique to herself. She has 7 active alters at the time of this recording, and 2 other alters who recently integrated. There is her current daily operating self, who goes by Debi, spelled DEBI. She manages daily needs, and works to understand and connect with each of her inner alters. There are two other adult alters, Deb, who is the primary adult protector of the system, And Debbie, also called ‘Debbie-IE’, whose desire is to connect with others about matters of the heart. Debbie-IE was the daily operating self as a young adult and into the beginning of motherhood. There are two teenage alters who have integrated: Molly who has a protective, brave, spontaneous personality. And Chrissy, who holds the energy of kindness. Michele, who is between ages 7 and 9, and used to hold many fears, and who now is empowered and transformed, and has a superpower of love that she wants to share with the world. Speaks Freely, about 12-13 years old, who holds the ability to imagine and visualize creatively. Helper, also about 13 years old, who is there to comfort Speaks Freely. Light, who is 4 years old. Whispers, who is about 5, and is there to comfort and help Light. If you would like to learn more about Debbie and how you can help support her, please visit www.DebbieKlose.com. Mental health resources: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Advocacy, support, and educational resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) An Infinite Mind DissociaDID Beauty After Bruises System Speak Pete Walker’s emotional flashback management strategies: Special THANK YOU to... Editor Austin Blackwell Music by Ian Post, Dusk Dr. Tara Peyman Debbie Klose
10/29/2022 • 17 minutes, 51 seconds
Trailer
Life is like a puzzle. Each puzzle piece represents a stage of our life’s story. But what if your life puzzle starts with tragedy, complex trauma, and fear? These puzzle pieces can become misplaced or disorganized. Sometimes, this complex trauma is so tragic, that our mind removes these memories or sequesters them so deeply that a new identity is created to protect us from this tragedy. This is a story of just that. Debbie Klose survived decades of trauma and tragedy. The only thing protecting her was her mind, and the different alters that have existed within her, to get her through life. So much is still unknown about Dissociative Identity Disorder, formally known as multiple personality disorder. Debbie is here to share her story, hoping to help others out there who may be suffering with complex trauma or dissociation. And to help the clinicians who are curious about these conditions to understand more too. While each case is unique and different, there are some similarities. This is Debbie’s story, and the story of her alters, who are all a part of her. Join me, Alicia Haygood, as I dive deep into Dissociative Identity Disorder. It’s a story of courage, resilience, and persistence in the journey to transform from shattered to united. If Debbie's story opens your heart the way it has opened so many other's please consider donating to her Go Fund Me Page. So many of Debbie's medical bills are not covered by insurance. Thank you for consideration and/or donation. https://www.gofundme.com/f/debbies-story-help-a-ptsd-cancer-survivor?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer