DID Dissociative identity disorder internal rules and emotions

[Stickler]

When driving, if you start feeling floaty, narrate your driving aloud.
If you cannot stay present, pull over and ground.

Safety first.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

My protector part is actually little. 9 years old.

My part that keeps the secrets from coming out is young, too. Used to be 3, but is now just an ageless child- that all happened before I became aware of even having parts. Anyway, it has been interesting, because even though she is super smart and protective, she is still a child. A child that has way more to burden her than grown adults should. One therapist that I have worked with, when I am inpatient, has talked to me and to her about that. She hasn't stopped the part from protecting about secrets or including her in discussions and decision making. Only that she is still a child with child-like thinking even if she appears to act like a grown-up and understand more than a typical child. Of course she's not a typical child, but the thought of her being a child is something to be considered. It's all so complicated though, isn't it? And everyone's system works differently even if there are some overlapping themes. I am glad there are people on here to talk to about all of this.

 

[Leigh925]

When driving, if you start feeling floaty, narrate your driving aloud.
If you cannot stay present, pull over and ground.

Safety first.

Good advice @Stickler. I get my husband or son to drop me off and pick me up for appointments during times that I am particularly dissociated. I have gotten lost both going and trying to get home so I get a ride now.

 

[Powder]

That's great that you have a T. you can talk with like this. I found one that might be this good/trustworthy, but had to curtail it due to finances and driving 2 hours to her office one way and then back. Cost was a bit too much after work took away one of my contracts. They kept taking my moonlight contracts and then giving/taking, to the extent that I quit and moved far away.

I am pretty challenged where trust is concerned to the extent that I don't see any point in T. unless my lifestyle/income dramatically changes to where it's not a sacrifice. I don't see that much changed that the income wouldn't have changed.

My insurance doesn't cover much.

 

[Ronin]

When I start divulging what parts feel, or even admitting they are there,

Muse what makes them feel safe? And do they know / are they, safe (or: are you safe to have their reaction style, physically, somewhere in your current life)?

We're not y'all guys abusers, we don't bite / been there, but I understand it's difficult to open up, even more about something culturally soo a taboo as trauma & multiness.

 

[Powder]

@Cashew, I don't understand your question. If I could answer that, I wouldn't have whatever it is I have. :)

If I had something else or less of this, I might know more about how to think that way.

 

[Ronin]

If I could answer that, I wouldn't have whatever it is I have.

Makes sense, though then - have you tried journaling your states, when in them?
Something of keeping a log of what's soothing, comforting, stress relief, to each person, then spending time together, comparing notes, finding how to incorporate that to days so everybody's happier?

 

[Powder]

No, I can't even post a reply. I'm constantly working. I have a more than full time job that hasn't had a break in years and two kids and a husband and a dog all at home. I don't have much time to work on myself in any way.

I'm actually high functioning and part of my issue is that I'm a busyaholic type who can't meet her goals because she's too busy. I feel guilt constantly and that I should be doing more for my family.

I'm always, always tired, have been since about age 9. There's been non-stop pressure. Women, working mom's, have little time for themselves. And I haven't pushed for it lately. I don't make good use of it, since I just laze on the sofa and waste time as I am so tired.

 

[Sideways]

@Muse - kicking back on the couch for some time out is actually okay. We all use different relaxation techniques to keep ourselves in one piece. I laze on the couch sometimes. Busy people with tip-top mental health who need a break laze on the couch sometimes.

One of the ways that I make sure my lazing on the couch is helpful relaxation time is to keep my thoughts in check when I'm doing it. Lazing on the couch just becomes a source of misery if my head is telling me "lazy mole...you should be doing this and that and the other thing..." etc.

Lazing on the couch can be really productive, quality relaxation time if I change the thoughts going on at the time:

"This is me kickin back on the couch. Tired, so I'm doing the laze-about thing. Not gonna stay here all day, but right now, I need to stop and do nothing, so hey, look how well I'm meeting my own needs right now. Yay lazing-around time..!"