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Help With Dissociation Description.

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I think it's important to explain that it isn't a choice, or something you have control over, and that you do want help with it.... . Could you tell your therapist what you want from her at those times?

At some level I have some control when it's mild as it was in this example. I can feel it happening and I can let it, or fight it. I was fighting it.

The silly thing was, it was at its worst in that session when my T was telling me that she wouldn't abandon me. Ugg

I have had a theory that this thread is making me question. I was thinking that if I disassociated mildly, then this was a good sign that therapy was pushing my boundaries in a positive way. In the sessions where this doesn't happen I was thinking that we aren't achieving much. Is this wrong?
 
@ghotiff
A bad counseling behavior (T asking, to use different descriptors)
To clarify, I meant client's words are like jewels to therapist, so for therapists to ask clients to stop using some words (is controlling and implying the words of the client, and hence the client isn't acceptable), is like tossing something valuable away. On the other hand, to ask a client to "do you want to tell me more', 'do you want elaborate'? Oh, I loved when one of my therapists said this.

Re: mild to severe dissociative triggers: yes, I too have more choice with milder ones.

Re: whether therapy triggers me; as mentioned, I naively worked with a therapist who's approach was to trigger me, and it was damaging. Now, I need the T to respect my boundary triggers', stop the triggering behavior, and keep things mild, as well to stop and help me re-associate before the session's end. I get triggered enough ( exposure therapy of sorts) in the world; I need a restorative haven in therapy. (I am aware that even well intentioned person can trigger me from time to time.)

Re: two other resources: in looking for better therapists or psychiatrists in (private practice);
  • some therapists and psychiatrists specialize in woman who have dealt with traumatic births. (Google the topic: something like Providers working with post traumatic birth) This group of Providers are often open to women and men who are dealing with trauma. The one I met helps give a protective rather than a challenging atmosphere. (Unfortunately, this T didn't work on my day off.)
  • Also, psychiatrists and therapists, who have modern psychoanalytic training, aren't stuffy, listen open-endedly, provide support, and that atmosphere for me, gives me a creative space to develop my own emotional intelligence.
I'm grateful for everyone and the topic. Thanks!
 
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Her not wanting to label things is something that I've picked up on, she's never said it. If I'm to guess her motive it's because I probably use technical descriptors to distance myself from the feelings. For example I would never say that it upsets me when people leave me, but I'm comfortable to say I have abandonment issues.
 
I would never say that it upsets me when people leave me, but I'm comfortable to say I have abandonment issues.
This is a cool statement. I do this all the time. I am going to have to give this some thought for myself. Thanks @ghotiff.

So then when you dissociate and feel the fog (I think that is what you described it as) is her idea that you say that 'I am feeling in a fog right now'? I mean if she has any kind of training she is going to know that you are dissociated already right? So she wants to hear the feeling of that and for you not to attach to what she already knows - but instead how you describe the feeling. IDK....

Good concept though.
 
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