Matt Temperley

I'm a trauma survivor and mental health advocate with a lifetime of living with a dissociative disorder (OSDD), FND and complex PTSD. I began writing to share some of the techniques i've found useful for living with and healing my dissociative disorder. *Disclaimer: Content on this site is for educational purposes and doesn't replace professional medical advice. Always consult healthcare providers for personal medical decisions.*

Dissociation as a Survival Mechanism: Evolution and Adaptation

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Dissociation is not a malfunction. It is one of the most ancient survival mechanisms in the human nervous system, shaped by millions of years of evolution. This article explores the evolutionary origins of dissociation, how the freeze response connects to human trauma, and what Polyvagal Theory tells us about why we disconnect. Understanding why dissociation exists can be one of the most healing realisations a trauma survivor can have.

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Common Misconceptions About Dissociation in Media and Culture

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Films, television, and popular culture have long shaped public understanding of dissociation, and not always for the better. This article examines six of the most harmful and widespread myths about dissociation and dissociative identity disorder (DID), setting the record straight with evidence from peer-reviewed research. Understanding what dissociation actually is and is not matters enormously for those living with it, and for everyone around them.

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Mental Health Hospitalisation: What to Expect, Your Rights, and How to Cope

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Being admitted to a psychiatric ward — whether voluntarily or under a section of the Mental Health Act — is one of the most disorienting experiences a person can go through. This guide walks you through what mental health hospitalisation in the UK typically involves, your rights as an inpatient, and how to cope with the particular challenges it brings for people living with dissociation and trauma.

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Dissociation in Children vs. Adults: Key Differences

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Dissociation often begins in childhood — but the way it looks in a child is very different from how it presents in an adult. This article explores how dissociation manifests across the lifespan, the key differences in symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, and what the research tells us about the developmental path from childhood dissociation to adult experience.

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