Dissociation Diagnosis Issues Etc

[Powder]

Junebug, Thank you for sharing this with me. I think we have some similar things that we are working through. (((HUGS JUNEBUG!!!)))

I have found all your tips to work so far. Last night, I had the chance to try some of them. While crying after being triggered when my H said a sarcastic remark exactly the same way my Dad always said it, I felt emotionally that he was my Dad, and I felt intense upset without being able to locate trigger at first. Therefore, I isolated myself, numbed, then thought about what was numbing me, realized it was my H's behavior, realized it triggered me, emotionally flooded, began moving as if I were three, realized why I was rocking and waving my legs about that way, "switched" into the 3-year-old right after the T. Realized I was doing it. So I got up and went back into the living room with my H and 2.5 year old. I confirmed I felt 3 based on thinking my 2.5 year old felt "my age." I forced myself to remain in the room and look around, move, get unstuck, sit, and forced myself to try to talk, which I couldn't. I looked a the TV for a while and looked around the room, and did all that you said above, except count/pinch. This usually works and takes about 2-3 minutes, each time. After that, I am "back on/in" and come back online. Then I can talk and feel calm and tell my H what happened and specifically what triggered me. I am usually using a slightly different voice and am appearing hostile and more angry than i "really feel." but it has to get out. Then I feel more calm, we talk, and it takes some time to feel normal again. Now today, I have a migraine and am really tired.

 

[Powder]

I also got the SI during the switch, and that scared me. I had to get up and not accept it. I had to move away from the spot where the dissociation began, as if to "walk away from it." Just as you said. :) The good news is that we can do this. And this is healing.

 

[Tinyflame]

Oh Muse- I'm glad.

I hope such a thing is 'healing'
:inlove: ((((((((((((Muse)))))))))))))

I am starting to suspect that is why 'little things' help, because they are a cognitive 'recognition' of the opposite- an act of will if you like, and representation also of the opposite. So they are not 'small', but actually huge.
Like lighting a candle etc. Almost in defiance or 'faith', when you don't 'feel' that way.

I am so happy you did so great! :)

Thought maybe too, carrying photographs of your family?, or something with a happy memory or that gives you strength or hope.

 

[anthony]

I was wondering if PTSD must be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or someone like that, or if a GP can diagnose it or another health practitioner? does anybody know how they came to be 'officially' diagnosed?

Depending on the country, it changes, however; for any official capacity, you can only be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, as they are the only people qualified to provide a medical mental health diagnosis. They are a medical doctor who has further specialised in psychiatry.

Anything less than a psychiatrist, chances are you will be misdiagnosed / over-diagnosed. Psychologists can diagnose, but it won't have any legal weight for insurance or legal capacity normally, hence you need to see a psychiatrist however you look at it, for a legal diagnosis that actually has merit.

 

[Autumncolors]

This is interesting. Sorry to hear that the program you were in did not follow up with your therapist, because that's one of their major selling points.

I don't know where you live, but maybe you can find a therapist who specializes in DDNOS and DID. I certainly wouldn't want the diagnosis if I didn't have the disorder. The IFS they use in the program reminds me of DDNOS/DID, which I have..I am on the spectrum. Except with DDNOS/DID you can't always controll your dissociation..With IFS you are choosing to have parts and talk to parts.

 

[KBE]

...labels have their use...giv[ing] definition and meaning to what may have always felt like a secret, mysterious and impossible-to-understand personal experience. They can also help to reassure people that they are not alone and their experience is not unique - if this "thing" has a name, then I guess other people must know about it!

Having just recently been diagnosed with PTSD, I can definitely say this is the case for me. As I learn about PTSD and share this information with my husband, we look at each other, remembering various events or reactions and finally understanding wtf happened there.

 

[Autumncolors]

KBE, I just wanted to say to make sure your therapist is truly a trauma therapist with specialized training. Alot of therapist say they can treat ptsd but are not trained in it. I was with a therapist who pretended she was treating me for 6 years. I got worse and worse. Traditional talk therapy doesn't work well with PTSD and dissociation.