Posted by Pfinstegg on April 1, 2005, at 19:35:49
In reply to Re: (i) The Post-Traumatic Model » alexandra_k, posted by sunny10 on March 29, 2005, at 9:45:27
Very interesting discussion- and it sounds like an excellent thesis! Just to add to the range of what dissociative disorders are thought to be by some therapists now, they can range from a pretty mild ego state disorder, with sudden mood changes, representing the feelings of child-parts who have been traumatized at some time in the past, and continue to have their own responses to present situations, without knowledge of time having passed, towards more and more definitely dissociated "selves", which may be given separate names, and perhaps be separate enough to "lose time". The cause is always the same- trauma of some kind- whether neglect, physical or sexual abuse- or all of them. It really is considered to be a very resourceful and intelligent response to trauma which is too much to bear.
Speaking first hand, as someone with an ego state disorder, treatment is difficult, as, when you begin to explore what these below-consciousness states actually are, you feel much more pain and distress than when you had all the parts separated. I have young parts coming more to life, and into therapy, who hurt so badly that I sometimes think I can't bear it. That's where having a really good therapist helps- he/she understands that, and is so skilled at giving these separated parts a new experience of empathy, warmth and careful listening. I don't know how they have the ability to do it, as so many parts flash in and out of one's feeling and awareness so quickly. But they do know how, and your traumatized parts know that, so they increasingly dare to share their feelings and experiences. At first, they just share extraordinary amounts of pain, and new details of horrible experiences, but even that is better than having it inside you, and unconscious, or only partly conscious. I can't say much more right now, as I don't feel I have healed too much yet. Somehow, I believe I will, though. I told my therapist today that, even though things are hurting an awful lot now, I'm so glad I'm no longer trying to skim along the surface of a personality with such pain separated and hidden underneath. He gazed at me so kindly and tenderly; I knew how deeply he understood- more than any words he could ever have said.
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:476320
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/write/20050321/msgs/478728.html