Syscourse (SNORE)

The Theory of Structural Dissociation is the most commonly accepted model of what happens when, in layman's terms, someone is traumatized in one way or another. When talking about The Theory Of Structural Dissociation (Onno van der Hart, Ellert R. S. Nijenhuis, and Kathy Steele), we can think about Structural Dissociation in layers.

1. Primary Structural Dissociation

Primary Structural Dissociation includes PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder. These two disorders have a simple split of ONE ANP (Apparently Normal Part) and ONE EP (Emotional Part).. more on that later. This type of dissociation is oftentimes caused by events that happen later in life, and are non repetitive. This usually causes flashbacks and other related issues, because the EP is stuck reliving that traumatic event.

2. Secondary Structural Dissociation

This layer encompasses Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder. This is categorized by ONE ANP (Apparently Normal Part) and MULTIPLE EPs (Emotional Parts). This is likely caused by repetitive trauma, but not enough to cause severe fragmentation. This causes multiple defensive trauma-based habits to form, which oftentimes cause issues with identity and daily life.

3. Tertiary Structural Dissociation

This is recognized as the most severe form of Structured Dissociation, encompassing DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). This is caused by repeated, severe traumatic events in early childhood (before the age of 9), which causes amnesiac barriers to form around pre-existing identity facets, leading to severe fragmentation. This is categorized by MULTIPLE ANPs (Apparently Normal Parts) and MULTIPLE EPs (Emotional Parts). This causes issues with functioning in daily life due to severe amnesia, and identity problems.

What is an ANP?

An ANP, or Apparently Normal Part, is the part of us that handles daily life. It's the part that drives your car, files your taxes, works your job. And for many people, (non traumatized people...), ANPs and EPs are very cohesive with one another. They work together to manage life. This creates a solid state of identity, which allows you to feel like... well YOU!

What is an EP?

An EP, or Emotional Part, on the other hand is the part that handles traumatic memories and emotions pertaining to a traumatic event. When traumatic events happen, the ANP gets split up from an EP. So the ANP will handle the daily life, while the EP remains traumatized.

So Yosuke... Why does the Second level have multiple EP's, but is not a system?

I'm glad you asked! This is because of two simple little differentiations between the two... The severity of the trauma, and the reaction to the trauma. In early childhood, all of our minds (yes, EVERYONES) were already in multiple different facets (or pieces, however you want to phrase it). These facets may have been dedicated to sadness, or happiness, or hunger, anger, fear, etc. When severe and repeated trauma disrupts daily life for a young individual, the facets begin a survival tactic. The mind builds a wall of amnesia around an affected facet, in order to stop the traumatic repercussions from spreading and bothering other facets. This is a survival mechanism. It splits up both ANPs and EPs alike, which causes them to eventually develop their own identity, leading to Dissociative Identity Disorder or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder.

In Secondary Structural Dissociation, the affected person maintains a cohesive ANP. And most of the time, they also do not develop the same amnesia barriers between EPs and ANPs. (More on why I say MOST later...) This is what differentiates between the Secondary and Tertiary Structural Dissociation Level.

The entire reason Tertiary Structural Dissociation maintains separate identity states (aka Alters, Parts, Headmates, whatever you want to call them) is because of the amnesia between the identity states. Eventually after these amnesiac walls are put up, they develop their own identities as the person grows. This does not happen most of the time in Secondary Structural Dissociation.

Why haven't you gone in depth on OSDD yet???

Great question. I've held off on mentioning OSDD, or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder for a VERY specific reason, and that OSDD is considered a "catch-all" term for those who may experience profound dissociative symptoms, but don't meet the full criteria for DID. It falls under the Second Structural Dissociation category, but can really be considered the 2.5th layer. (Which I know is weird, let me explain...)

OSDD 1A

OSDD 1A is a subtype of OSDD, or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder. This is categorized by ONE ANP and MULTIPLE EPs, but does experience the same amnesiac barriers as DID. (Remember when I mentioned this is weird to categorize?) These EPs may be less distinct, and can sometimes be considered as different "modes" rather than full fledged Alters.

OSDD 1B

OSDD 1B is really the 2.5th layer of Dissociation (Not factual, just layman's terms.) It is also categorized in the Secondary Structural Dissociation category, while maintaining ONE ANP and MULTIPLE EPs. This subset also has similar amnesiac barriers and distinct alters to DID, however the key difference being they are oftentimes lacking the severe amnesia between Alters. So, more amnesia than 1A, less than full DID.

And that is EPs and ANPs explained in The Theory of Structural Dissociation! Yosuke out!