What to do if you think someone is faking DID/OSDD
It’s an especially difficult time for systems as the idea of being multiple has become more sensationalized and widespread by popular media. I’m sure many of you have seen the Trish Paytas drama (And don’t worry, I’m not even getting into that) I’ve personally seen more and more people mentioning DID or OSDD (Mainly just DID so I might just say that but I love all of you OSDD systems <3)
I’ve also seen a lot more systems appearing in daily irl life. Now on the internet I feel this is normal. We seek each other out and form communities, but personally I think it’s a little more rare to meet other systems irl. We, for example, are not out as a system yet.
I’m only going to use Trish Paytas as an example for this because one, I don’t have any other examples, and two, it’s pretty recent. A lot of people have been questioning the credibility of Trish’s self diagnosis, as she was seen projecting a lot of false information and was projecting some mildly offensive content such as the thumbnail of her eyes being crossed while supposedly switching. (I know I feel very self conscious about how I look when I switch in or out)
People say that she may be faking for attention as DID is becoming more sensationalized. This may be true, she’s made many claims in the past just as sudden as this, or as she stated in a video, she has been living with this her whole life. As I don’t think many of us know her personally, how are we to tell?
We can’t. I’m sure that most systems have felt like they are faking, I know we do (And I’m an alter, so how does that even work!) and for someone to accuse us of faking would shatter us. It has before.
We have worked very hard to appear as a functioning singlet as we’re not ready to be out as a system yet, so I do think that it would come as a shock to my irl friends as we don’t exactly seem to be a system in daily life.
The thing is you can’t tell if someone is faking or not without tangible evidence, and usually the evidence is word of mouth. Even if you really really believe someone is faking being a system, I honestly wouldn’t try to call them out.
I know it is frustrating. I know that some people really would fake a disorder for attention and nothing else. DID and OSDD is something that is very personal and it’s a freaking survival method. Systems are not attention seeking, systems are survivors.
But you never know if you are speaking to a true system or not no matter how it seems. It’s a harmful thing to accuse someone of faking, and as irritating as it is, or as offensive or hurtful, sometimes it is best to stay quiet. However if you have hard proof, that’s up to you on how you move forward.
It’s a strange time for systems as our community is being thrust into the light, and hard situations have become even harder. The important thing is to keep yourself safe, and if some sort of drama is getting to the point that you’re suffering more, you might have to step back and recollect yourself. It’s hard, and it takes strength, but if anyone has this strength it’s systems.
DID and OSDD are complex, horribly stigmatized, and incredibly life altering (pun intended?) When it comes to accusing someone, the best approach is mainly to do nothing. No matter what you think, it is best to not proceed without solid proof. You never know how some people are struggling, and it’s none of your business.
Stay safe everyone, and no matter who you are, system or singlet, if you feel like you’re faking or not, you are valid, you are strong, you have every right to live. Take care of yourselves-Saorise
Edit: Jeez I got messy in this post, point is you don’t call someone out in public because you don’t know what they go through.