Could use some support

[HealingMama]

Hi. I have a therapist but don't see them for another week. I am trying to become more present in my life on a moment to moment basis. I'm able to function for my job, but honestly not much beyond that.

I just don't feel like me. As soon as it was time for my lunch break all the bits and pieces that are used to being ignored started demanding attention. There's a part that is newly on the surface with me. I heard it say it was scared. Then spent the day doing my job and also having this anxious part sitting there with me.

Go to the doctor and get lost in the building unsure of where the office is (that I've been to several times before), things feeling unfamiliar etc.

Basically I'm newly working on understanding my internal system, my "parts" and this current phase is very uncomfortable. I have periods of numbness, unpleasant physical sensations, the work of living my various roles in life seems overwhelming. I just want to hide in bed and wait to feel better.

Is there anything I could be doing to make this process smoother? I have only seen the therapist once. I'm really uncomfortable but don't want to "stop my work" either.

 

[The Albatross]

Shift your perception of your experience and consider it a base point instead of a problem in your recovery???

Doing your job but not much else is a starting place. Countering thoughts/habits/behaviors takes time and consistency. Practice, patience, perseverance and persistence. Instead of fielding stressors, switch over to proactivity to attempt to bump your base level to a more desirable level. Create a goal challenge and plan a strategy to get there. Reevaluate as necessary.

As you mentioned "anxiety"... find coping tools or skills to neutralize it or quiet it down while you scan for opportunities and potential improvements.

 

[HealingMama]

Thank you. I guess I'm speaking less about general healing work and more like this parts work specifically. How do I help these suddenly appearing parts of me with overwhelming? I think maybe this forum isn't the place to ask? But I see people writing about DID so... shrug.

Having said that, going from reactive to proactive sounds like a fantastic way to move forward with a different mindset. Thanks so much!

 

[The Albatross]

I'm a "fractured" personality with DID tendencies... so I'll but out so you can get some more helpful responses.

 

[HealingMama]

No please, I am so grateful for your insight and support. I didn't realize your answer had fragmentation support included.

It's all just very overwhelming.

 

[Wendell_R]

I have about seven parts, and a job and family. As they have come up, yes, it's a lot of juggling! Here are some ideas:

-I made "safe places" for my parts. We paste pictures in a journal book I keep, and the pictures represent safe places and ideas.
-I write little notes to parts who need some consolation. I keep the note in my pocket for the day, to look at when I need to, and then past the notes in my journal to look back at.
-I make time for a little walk by myself each day. When others are around, it's hard to listen to my parts and see what they need.
-I first learned grounding exercises as the adult part. But now some of the older parts can do grounding, too.
-I keep a stuffed animal (see my picture!) under my desk in a bag, and he comes out when needed when a Little needs comforting.
-I try to listen to each part. I don't necessarily do what the part wants to do, but I always listen.
-I accept that I am all of my parts together.

This is really tiring. But I have also had a sense of exhilaration. Exploring parts and learning my psyche in a deep way is fascinating and has given me a deep appreciation of what it means to be human.

 

[HealingMama]

I have about seven parts, and a job and family. As they have come up, yes, it's a lot of juggling! Here are some ideas:

-I made "safe places" for my parts. We paste pictures in a journal book I keep, and the pictures represent safe places and ideas.
-I write little notes to parts who need some consolation. I keep the note in my pocket for the day, to look at when I need to, and then past the notes in my journal to look back at.
-I make time for a little walk by myself each day. When others are around, it's hard to listen to my parts and see what they need.
-I first learned grounding exercises as the adult part. But now some of the older parts can do grounding, too.
-I keep a stuffed animal (see my picture!) under my desk in a bag, and he comes out when needed when a Little needs comforting.
-I try to listen to each part. I don't necessarily do what the part wants to do, but I always listen.
-I accept that I am all of my parts together.

This is really tiring. But I have also had a sense of exhilaration. Exploring parts and learning my psyche in a deep way is fascinating and has given me a deep appreciation of what it means to be human.

Thank you this is helpful. I like the idea of having both an imaginal and a literal safe space for each part. Talking to the one that came out before didn't seem to do much to reassure them.

I wonder if the experience I had earlier this week with all the internal noise right at my lunch break was a gatekeeper opening the door to let someone out and I heard all of them behind the door.

I like the idea of a collage. Thanks @Wendell_R.

 

[talon]

Hi. I have a therapist but don't see them for another week. I am trying to become more present in my life on a moment to moment basis. I'm able to function for my job, but honestly not much beyond that.

I just don't feel like me. As soon as it was time for my lunch break all the bits and pieces that are used to being ignored started demanding attention. There's a part that is newly on the surface with me. I heard it say it was scared. Then spent the day doing my job and also having this anxious part sitting there with me.

Go to the doctor and get lost in the building unsure of where the office is (that I've been to several times before), things feeling unfamiliar etc.

Basically I'm newly working on understanding my internal system, my "parts" and this current phase is very uncomfortable. I have periods of numbness, unpleasant physical sensations, the work of living my various roles in life seems overwhelming. I just want to hide in bed and wait to feel better.

Is there anything I could be doing to make this process smoother? I have only seen the therapist once. I'm really uncomfortable but don't want to "stop my work" either.

DID is complex because even so called professionals don't understand it and some don't want to . I need to say that i don't want to cause conflict with your therapy this would not help but i am here if i can help . I worked with a lady with 20 alters not all of them friendly. I encouraged the host to communicate with her parts through a diary and by email . Carry on working if you can as it will focus you on other things and creates a social network . Some with DID have friends who chat with alters . My client had 20 from a teething baby to Littles you teens ,older teens to adult male and female the oldest male the protector who appeared when i was going away on holiday . I welcomed them all as family and made them aware they were safe and loved which was important . Will be here for you when i can please do not fear your alters or be worried about what they might reveal when you are not around . They appear to help you make sense of your life . Communicate by diary and leave it out for their comments so you can speak even when you are not around they are your healing . The Littles are the historians they reveal everything . Take care dont worry

 

[HealingMama]

Hi, thanks.

So far I've not seen anything that I am afraid of. I've got something in there that gets very fighty, a protector of some kind, but mostly I'm just learning and trying to be less phobic about my process. Thank you for your encouragement.