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Where Would Dissociation Fit In? (diagnostic Criteria)
- Post starter daniel
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Justmehere
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I'm going to avoid talking of the DSM except to say that the DSM has a whole separate section on dissociative disorders that might be helpful to look up.
But as far as to if dissociation is more of an avoidant or re-experiencing type of symptom my therapist comes under the philosophy that dissociation is mostly a way to avoid pain during and after the trauma, and later on after the trauma. In some ways, it is the opposite of re-experiencing.
That being said, there can be some dissociative qualities about having flashbacks. It is also possible to reexperience dissociation later on in life that was the kind of dissociation experienced at the time of trauma.
But overall, I would say that dissociation is more of an avoidant something.
By the way, not a dumb question!
But as far as to if dissociation is more of an avoidant or re-experiencing type of symptom my therapist comes under the philosophy that dissociation is mostly a way to avoid pain during and after the trauma, and later on after the trauma. In some ways, it is the opposite of re-experiencing.
That being said, there can be some dissociative qualities about having flashbacks. It is also possible to reexperience dissociation later on in life that was the kind of dissociation experienced at the time of trauma.
But overall, I would say that dissociation is more of an avoidant something.
By the way, not a dumb question!
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Thinking back to referral that was made when referred to trauma services (that was rejected as I was 'too complex'!!!) it came under avoidance - reexperienceing is more nightmares and flashbacks... I may be wrong tho... I would say look at dissociative disorders, but after I have done this as dissociation quite severe, both psych and T dismissed this, saying it was just a symptom... Grr!!! (I'm BPD in addition to having PTSD and now bipolar traits...)
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joeylittle
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Agreeing with the above; I got curious about the same thing once and had a talk with my psych about it. I thought of it (dissociating) as re-experiencing from a distance, and she said that actually no - the "from a distance" part is what makes it avoidance.
One of those "its really hard to remember that clinical language is clinical" things, because it never feels like "avoiding" anything, does it? But avoidance (clinically) does not require deep conscious choice - one does not always choose in avoidant behavior.
Like walking around a brick wall instead of straight into it; you wouldn't really think of it as "choosing" to avoid walking into the brick wall, you'd think of it as the normal thing to do. And yet, you did avoid the brick wall.
Avoidant behaviors are generally not considered wise or healthy (like not walking into a brick wall), but in the PTSD mind there are many brick walls we see that other people do not. Some that we don't even question, and some so large that it's a long walk around them. I think of disassociation as the long walk.
One of those "its really hard to remember that clinical language is clinical" things, because it never feels like "avoiding" anything, does it? But avoidance (clinically) does not require deep conscious choice - one does not always choose in avoidant behavior.
Like walking around a brick wall instead of straight into it; you wouldn't really think of it as "choosing" to avoid walking into the brick wall, you'd think of it as the normal thing to do. And yet, you did avoid the brick wall.
Avoidant behaviors are generally not considered wise or healthy (like not walking into a brick wall), but in the PTSD mind there are many brick walls we see that other people do not. Some that we don't even question, and some so large that it's a long walk around them. I think of disassociation as the long walk.
Springer80
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B.5 to C and a 1/2. ;)
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