A Couple of Multiples: The Reality of Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Drew & Garden System

There’s never a dull moment for hosts, Drew and Garden System, who are a couple that have both been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. While they are navigating their healing journey, they continue to manage full time careers, raise four teenagers and a house full of pets. Not only do they aim to speak to people who have lived experience with DID and their supporters, but also therapists and anyone who wants to learn more. The podcast talks about Dissociative Identity Disorder in a way that someone who knows nothing about DID will be able to understand, and at the same time is designed to be a resource for therapists, while supporting and validating those with lived experience. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a highly stigmatized mental health diagnosis that has been subject to many myths and misinformation over the years. These myths, along with highly-sensationalized media portrayals, have led to many who still believe this disorder is not real and simply created by therapists who impose themselves on highly suggestible clients. The goal of the podcast is to dispel these myths and educate the world at large the truth about Dissociative Identity Disorder, and the reality of what having this diagnosis really looks like. The brain had to find a unique way to cope in order to survive the trauma people with DID faced from a very young age. Also, this condition is not rare, although many reputable sources still cite it as such. People with DID are ordinary members in your community that you might encounter in your daily life. Drew and Garden System want to shed light on the challenging symptoms people with DID face and share how they have overcome those challenges and found the gifts of joy that all of their parts bring to each other.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Jun 11, 2024 • 34min

Is That WE in There? Early Signs of Internal Communication within Dissociative Identity Disorder

Drew & Garden System kick off Season 2 by sharing all the first signs of internal communication that happened within their systems. Listen to their comical, personal stories of how their selves made themselves known. This episode includes topics of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and eating disorders.Visit acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list and to find out all about our private, paid community called Hearts Multiplied for people with dissociative disorders, their supporters, and therapists treating DID!We are honored to have a gold plus sponsor for season 2! The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is one of the largest EMDR Therapy training programs in North America, founded and directed by Dr. Jamie+ Marich, author of Dissociation Made Simple. Dr. Jamie is the only EMDR therapy trainer who is "out" as a plural, and since 20 15 she's offered the full EMDR Therapy basic training in a way that honors lived experience and destigmatizes dissociation in clinical work. We have never felt more accepted and validated as a multiple than when we were able to show up authentically as Garden System for our basic EMDR training. Having lived experience is valued and respected in these training courses. Go to www.instituteforcreativemindfulness.com for a full list of upcoming trainings, both online and in-person, offered by Dr. Jamie and her selected network of EMDR trainers. Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Please send an email to admin@acoupleofmultiples.com to request more information.Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops! Remember, this podcast is not a substitute for therapy. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and provide information on dissociative identity disorder. We share our personal stories, interview guests who also live with DID, and we interview mental health professionals to share their clinical knowledge. And most importantly: remember that every system is different. What works for one may not work for another—and that’s okay. Your journey is valid, your healing is real, and we’re so glad you’re hanging out with A Couple of Multiples. Articles cited in Seasons 4 & 5: Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry, 24(4), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000100

May 7, 2024 • 42min

From Toxicity to Authenticity with Dissociative Identity Disorder

In this legendary season one finale episode, Drew & Garden System discuss boundaries with friends, family, and within the therapeutic relationship. They talk about how they created a chosen community of friends and family and what is like to unmask through disclosure, including the thought processes around deciding if and when to disclose a diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder.References:Drew & Garden System discussed the use of therapeutic touch in therapy with clients that have a history of sexual trauma and a diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder. Here is an article discussed: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/touch-in-therapy-helpful-or-harmful-one-therapists-perspective-0629175The short film, Petals of a Rose is a great way to teach friends and family about DID. You can watch the 15 minute film here: https://www.dylancrumpler.com/petals-of-a-roseFollow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops! Remember, this podcast is not a substitute for therapy. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and provide information on dissociative identity disorder. We share our personal stories, interview guests who also live with DID, and we interview mental health professionals to share their clinical knowledge. And most importantly: remember that every system is different. What works for one may not work for another—and that’s okay. Your journey is valid, your healing is real, and we’re so glad you’re hanging out with A Couple of Multiples. Articles cited in Seasons 4 & 5: Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry, 24(4), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000100

Apr 30, 2024 • 37min

Even More Multiple Cool Ways to Heal with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Drew & Garden System share their experiences with various healing modalities for the trauma that led to dissociative identity disorder, including: music & music therapy, drumming, sound healing, yoga, meditation & visualization, EFT Tapping, anger wall, and the quantum energy wellness bed.Articles on Sound & Music:https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_music_bonds_us_togetherhttps://www.soundtravels.co.uk/a-Sound_Therapy_and_the_Vagus_Nerve-3617.aspxhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/music-synchronizes-the-brains-of-performers-and-their-audience/https://www.themusiciansbrain.com/making-music-together-syncs-brains/Website for Quantum Energy Wellness Bedhttps://quantumwellnessus.com/quantum-energy-wellness-bedOur websitehttps://www.acoupleofmultiples.com/Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops! Remember, this podcast is not a substitute for therapy. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and provide information on dissociative identity disorder. We share our personal stories, interview guests who also live with DID, and we interview mental health professionals to share their clinical knowledge. And most importantly: remember that every system is different. What works for one may not work for another—and that’s okay. Your journey is valid, your healing is real, and we’re so glad you’re hanging out with A Couple of Multiples. Articles cited in Seasons 4 & 5: Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry, 24(4), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000100

Apr 23, 2024 • 32min

Healing Trauma through Art with Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Interview with Megs from Brushstrokes & Imagination

Art is one of the many healing modalities used for trauma processing. Megs from Brushstrokes & Imagination helps us to understand how having DID influences her art and creative processes. Megs is an incredible self-taught artist with minimal formal training. Artworks was one of their earliest escapes. They have continued to cultivate and express themselves since childhood. They are inspired by nature, and the bold dash of color. They were also very influenced by emotion and the unseen challenges of their mental health.They began by studying their own childhood photos. While looking at the photographs, they are reminded of the location the photo was originally taken. They're reminded of the smells & voices echoing in their mind. As they begin to paint, they're processing the feelings that emerge. In the photos they see the younger versions of themselves and how they were taught to feel versus how they truly felt. They illuminate the tiniest of details & darkness without light. As they're painting from these photos they are able to rewrite the narrative. They are able to reconnect with all parts of themselves.@Brushstrokes_Imagination@acoupleofmultiples@note_to_selves@seidi_gardensystemacoupleofmultiples.comFollow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops! Remember, this podcast is not a substitute for therapy. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and provide information on dissociative identity disorder. We share our personal stories, interview guests who also live with DID, and we interview mental health professionals to share their clinical knowledge. And most importantly: remember that every system is different. What works for one may not work for another—and that’s okay. Your journey is valid, your healing is real, and we’re so glad you’re hanging out with A Couple of Multiples. Articles cited in Seasons 4 & 5: Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry, 24(4), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000100

Apr 16, 2024 • 41min

Multiple Cool Ways to Heal with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Drew and Garden System share a multitude of research-based and some out-of-the-box healing interventions that they have used in their trauma recovery. Topics include CBT, grounding, handling self-harm urges, writing, play therapy, sand tray therapy, equine therapy, and EMDR.Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops! Remember, this podcast is not a substitute for therapy. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and provide information on dissociative identity disorder. We share our personal stories, interview guests who also live with DID, and we interview mental health professionals to share their clinical knowledge. And most importantly: remember that every system is different. What works for one may not work for another—and that’s okay. Your journey is valid, your healing is real, and we’re so glad you’re hanging out with A Couple of Multiples. Articles cited in Seasons 4 & 5: Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry, 24(4), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000100

Apr 9, 2024 • 1h

The Stigma of Dissociative Identity Disorder in Movies with Dylan & Holly Crumpler: Petals of a Rose

Drew & Garden System have a chat with Dylan & Holly Crumpler about the portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder in Hollywood films. Dylan & Holly discuss the diagnostic journey, how the film Petals of a Rose came to be, their upcoming projects to help reduce stigma, and their hopes for the future.Holly and Dylan Crumpler are a mother-son team of passionate activists working to reduce the stigma associated with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Given that DID has historically been depicted in an inaccurate, sensationalized, and violent way in film and television, Dylan created his senior thesis film, Petals of a Rose, at Chapman University to realistically depict a day in the life of a woman with DID. He co-wrote the screenplay with his mother, Holly, who was diagnosed with DID in 2018 at the age of 51.Holly is a retired Tax Partner at Deloitte, an international public accounting firm, where she worked for 25 years consulting with corporations regarding their global compensation and benefit programs. Dylan is an independent filmmaker and 2022 graduate of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production with an emphasis in Directing and a Themed Inquiry in Leadership.Petals of a Rose has received international acclaim, with Dylan and Holly sharing the film at numerous mental health conferences and educational events. The film is being used by clinicians in training sessions, college courses, and therapeutic settings. The film’s subtitles are available in twelve languages.Following is the link where you can watch the 15 minute film and learn more about its impact: https://www.dylancrumpler.com/petals-of-a-rosePlease consider rating and reviewing Petals of a Rose on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19715926Dylan and Holly are now developing a documentary exploring the impact of misrepresentation of DID in film and television, and also a longer film/series expanding on the story of their short film’s protagonist, Rose.Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops! Remember, this podcast is not a substitute for therapy. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and provide information on dissociative identity disorder. We share our personal stories, interview guests who also live with DID, and we interview mental health professionals to share their clinical knowledge. And most importantly: remember that every system is different. What works for one may not work for another—and that’s okay. Your journey is valid, your healing is real, and we’re so glad you’re hanging out with A Couple of Multiples. Articles cited in Seasons 4 & 5: Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry, 24(4), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000100

Apr 2, 2024 • 40min

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!

Get the app