Posted by Pfinstegg on July 31, 2004, at 22:04:06
In reply to Re: Being treated for a dissociative disorder, posted by zenhussy on July 31, 2004, at 3:19:57
Thanks for your message, zenhussy. I understand that you might not feel safe discussing this topic here. I wouldn't have, a year ago, but now that I've become more aware of what's going on with me, and have gotten such wonderful help from my analyst, I felt like I wanted to be more open about it on PB. It's scary to think of having any degree of dissociation- and the people who have posted at various times have varying degrees of it- from private inner switches in ego states to more severe degrees of dissociation which others can observe. It's a hallmark of csa.
I especially wanted to write what I could about it here because I think it's a diagnosis that isn't made as often as it should be. I am very lucky to have a therapist who specializes in trauma and abuse, and who always looks beneath the anxiety and depression for dissociative ego states. I've been to other therapists who basically tried to strengthen my confidence in my adult abilities; this is the first one who has looked for, and related to, my cut-off child states. I was terrified of anyone doing this, but, as I have become able to allow it, and participate in it, the pain I have carried with me my whole life has diminished so much. I wanted everyone to know that, even years later, there is really effective treatment for childhood abuse, no matter what particular kind it is- emotional, physical or sexual, or all of them together. I am thrilled at how much better I feel, and I look forward to going to my analyst, every day for the time being, to keep allowing my *children* to speak to him more and more fully. I try to keep as careful a journal of it as I can, because, despite all the terror and pain, it's such a fascinating journey!
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:371785
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040728/msgs/372774.html