Thinking Errors in DID: How Cognitive Distortions Keep You Stuck
(Summary) Thoughts like “I’m too broken to heal” or “Nothing I do ever makes a difference” feel true in the moment — but they’re actually thinking errors, also known as cognitive distortions. For people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), these distorted beliefs often develop as survival strategies, sometimes even held by different parts in conflict with each other. While they once protected you, cognitive distortions can now block trust, fuel shame, and keep you stuck. This video explores how to spot thinking errors, challenge them gently, and open the door to real healing.
Have you ever had a thought like:
“I’m too broken to heal,”
“They were just being nice when they complimented me”
or “Nothing I do ever makes a difference”?
These are what are called thinking errors, also called cognitive distortions. They feel true, but they aren’t. Because these kinds of thoughts were protective, they became a core adaptation to your way of managing trauma. In a dissociative system, these distorted beliefs might even be held by different parts—sometimes in direct conflict. But what helped you survive isn’t always what helps you heal.
Cognitive distortions can keep you stuck—in shame, self-doubt, or silence. They can block trust between parts and hold you back from progress. When you learn to spot them, you can start to challenge them. And that opens the door to real change—inside and out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cognitive distortions?
They’re unhelpful thought patterns — like “I’m too broken to heal” — that feel true but aren’t accurate. They developed to protect you in trauma but now keep you stuck.
Why are thinking errors so common in DID?
Because dissociation separates experiences, different parts may hold conflicting beliefs. For example, one part might believe “Nothing bad ever happened,” while another holds “Everything is dangerous.” Both are distortions shaped by survival needs.
Do these distorted beliefs mean I’m weak?
Not at all. They were survival strategies that helped you make sense of overwhelming situations. The fact that they feel powerful today shows how deeply they once protected you.
How do thinking errors affect healing?
They can block trust between parts, fuel shame, and make progress feel invisible. If left unchallenged, they can make you believe healing isn’t possible — even when it is.
What’s a gentle way to begin changing them?
Start by noticing the thought and asking, “Is this a thinking error?” You don’t need to force a positive replacement right away — just creating awareness begins to loosen its hold.