Dissociation Explained

[grit]

Hi everyone. This is my first post.
I feel a bit uncertain as have just realised that I have dissociated a lot for most of my life (am not DID)and I am now over forty. Had no self awareness whatsover and was v disconnected from myself.
I am still trying to grasp what exactly PTS is and can't really believe it applies to me but here I am.

I am wondering if anyone freezes fairly regularly with dissociation; or possibly looses control over specific muscle groups just for a moment or two. For example not being able to speak or on occasion falling if standing or walking.
:( I hope that does not sound very strange.
Many thanks for the information here.

Wow! Abstract, I am so happy to read your first post ever here! you sounded amazing already.

 

[Survivor3]

I'm very grateful Anthony puts together these articles. They're really informative and have made me realise I was dissociating from an early age and was freezing A lot from childhood and into my late teens / early twenties and adulthood. The trauma and dissociation did affect my personality but I did not develop altars. I became very nervous of the world in general and used alcohol as a crutch to ease the pain/self soothe and give me confidence.
(Sometimes I couldn't even talk unless I had alcohol inside me) I became an alchoholic.
No longer dependant. I have very strong resentments against people that would make fun of me and try to humiliate me when I used to dissociate. It sickens me. I'm very careful now of the types of people I allow myself to be social with. I also try to stick up for myself more now, instead of me suffering, I will tell my abuser to f*ck off or I'll just leave the environment.

I'm really grateful for this forum. The support and kindness from you gives me strength/ understanding and keeps me going through the day. Thankyou.

 

[Survivor3]

I agree 100% the memories are there since they do cause negative effects, but it seems they are "misfiled" for a lack of a better term.



Interesting point as to "what" is actually remembered and "how" it is remembered. Research in this area is often contradictory. The feeling of a "disconnect" is the best term to describe it.



This is where I butt heads with my T. Suppression still means the memories are there, because there is a reaction. The whole "amnesia" piece is confusing and the "crawl out" clause seems to be DID; which I personally do not buy into. (Please note anyone reading this that is my personal opinion.) But from a therapeutic standpoint, it is a catch 22 for the patient. Trauma therapy is the most effective, and is based on processing the trauma. But then, we don't want to help you "remember" because it is too dangerous?

Maybe understanding the disassociation is the key to understanding the disconnect? Or maybe just asking those who remember to tell you is the best approach?

Yes, the explanation of exposure therapy was very helpful. The trick is not to associate when engaging in it.

I thought the fact that the brain buried and forgots/mis files things is a defence mechanism and a good thing. It's not saying that it didn't happen but spares you all the intense graphic details. Otherwise you'd be so overloaded that a person would literally go insane.

 

[Friday]

@grit The spectrum itself isn’t based on cause.

How far someone moves up the spectrum is based on a combination of factors, including cause.

To use numbers (since I can’t draw on here)

0 = Only people with specific conditions/disorders don’t do it.

1-50 = Normal Range / (almost) Everyone Does It

50-75 = Extraordinary Range / Only specific groups of people do it, but not pathological. Think artists, careers employing extreme emotional distancing, disorders where it’s a facet but not a symptom, children, etc.

75-95 = Rare Range / Tied to specific disorders & conditions (pathological, risen to the level of symptom)

95-100 = DID Range / Only this singular disorder (that we know of) does it.

 

[Abstract]

... and regardless of what level or environment there could be a biological bias/predisposition.

 

[grit]

@grit The spectrum itself isn’t based on cause.

How far someone moves up the spectrum is based on a combination of factors, including cause.

To use numbers (since I can’t draw on here)

Thank you so much @Friday

I just could not find if DID was highest or the lowest point. Much appreciated you took the time to explain. I can be in a foggy sometimes and just cannot make it through.