The Long Haul - Treating Dissociative Disorders

[@9liveslisa]

I was happy when they changed the name of Multiple Personality Disorder to Dissociative Disorder. It made much more sense to me. I was diagnosed when I was 25 years old with Clinical Depression, Multiple Personality Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Partial Amnesia. I had essentially cracked up after a very traumatic & messy childhood. I was in therapy at the time and I checked into a hospital and stayed there for 2 months. I wanted help and was happy to get it. But I never understood the multi-personality thing. I understood dissociating, but I didn't have different names for different personalities. That did not happen. There were times when say I would be at work and I'd have a conversation with someone and as I walked away I would realize that I just had a conversation, but I did not remember what we just talked about. It was more like I would turn on my professional self and handle what needed to be handled, but I wasn't necessarily present. It never affected my work in a negative way and I was successful and people relied on me to get the job done. I'm 64 now and retired. I'm in a good place, but I will say that once you are that damaged psychologically it is very difficult to ever feel completely "normal", whatever that is. I would say that I am ok, but haunted. I have to work at living in the present. It's just the way it is.

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

Oh no. No. I can fix this.

[@wadecohagan2388]

To those with it yes it makes more sense. I have a close friend with it and before I started talking to her about it multiple made more sense. but I get what you are saying. I feel for anyone who has it. It took a very long time before she would talk about it with me. Now she will answer any questions I have. But it gets to be like a fascination to me so I have to be careful I don't go too far she'll start revolving and it is definitely not the same visit then.I have a lot to learn and I know I will never learn it all But I would think it has to be good for her to have someone to talk to that knows and she feels comfortable around. I have known her for 20 years but only talked about it in the last 2. juts the past couple of weeks they started using we and us etc. with me. That made me tear up and I noticed it right away.

[@9liveslisa]

@@wadecohagan2388 That's very nice of you to talk to her and be a friend. I was actually happy with my diagnosis because when I cracked up I was afraid I was psychotic or something worse. It was very comforting when I straight up asked my shrink if I was psychotic and he quickly answered "No". I was so relieved because I was afraid if I was psychotic my life was doomed forever. That I would never get well. He explained me to that what I had was a neurotic disorder because of years of emotional abuse and abandonment. Years later I had a huge memory come back when I was on a phone call with my sister and she said "You don't remember, do you?" And I said "No". I later called my shrink who I was no longer in therapy with and told him what had happened and that I was afraid of what else I would remember. He told me, "we do not want you to remember everything all at once, but gradually." So, I said, "OK, that makes sense." His hope was that I would disassociate less and less. He didn't want me in therapy forever. He wanted me to live my life and that is what I have done. Good luck to your friend and thank you for being so understanding and kind to her. That is a rare gift.

[@wadecohagan2388]

@@9liveslisa ty i will say more about this when i have more time if you dont mind. it gets kind of intense sometimes. i will further explain the situation

[@SB-fk8fm]

Me too. I would jsut split and keep splitting. Oh man. Now I understand so many confusing looks or men just getting up and leaving because they freaked out that I would just sit there and forget things like visibly have this reaction and then come back like nothing happened. Jesus I didn’t know I was even doing it. What a life. But I’m grateful for thank the sight to see now.

[@sp5457]

I am so happy to finally know what this is called.. dissociation.. I have had this since childhood and never knew if other ppl also experienced the same.. I am 32 yrs old now and I have such a tough time with this problem especially when it is extremely important for me to be present in a moment like meetings.. it causes me a lot of stress..

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

Stressing about it causes a feedback loop Dont worry about stressing. Dont stress about stressing or you will stress about stressing about stressing. Get it?

[@DeannaRodriguez-u8r]

I’ve recently learned that I’ve been dissociating since toddler age. I just turned 60. Due to neglect and every kind of physical and mental abuse there is since infancy. Also several concussions that probably made it even worse. Disorganized Attachment as well. I don’t have any idea who I actually am. But I’m finally on path to learn. Thank you for your information.

[@aegeanbo]

Please talk of the "what" to treat before the "how" to treat. What you treat are [1] the PTSD in the alters and [2] the lack of cooperation among the fractured parts ( identities) living in one body. Techniques will take more than a few minutes to cover. I am a retired psychiatrist, some of my writing is available at as a free downloadable ebook or pdf

[@rispahkariuki8052]

Thank you for this

[@danyelPitmon]

I have an officially dissociative identity disorder primary diagnosis is borderline personality disorder: occurring is bipolar to PTSD generalized anxiety disorder and I also have insomnia no matter what anyone does it’s going to still be an experiment because throwing different meds at you to see what works see what doesn’t work and different therapies as well to see what works and what doesn’t work and what can help and what can’t help so just thought I’d mention it because no matter what we are going to be an experiment because nobody really knows what is going to really help us

[@Kuruflower]

Irene lyon, Peter Levine, Stephen porges, Kathy kain.... All believe, (with scientific finding), that to heal this will take mental and physical explorations.

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

I do.

[@juliacooley713]

I’ve been through many childhood trauma including being kidnapped, snowboarding and skying accidents, evacuee and now I’m facing a challenge that I might have to move from a home I really like and like a male staff here however get confused if he tries turning me into another person. I might have post pardon from the kidnappers and there kids. Also I serve in many branches and today being 9/11 I am learning and reaching out. I don’t sleep too well but I don’t have that much stress however in a kind of sleep state I’ve been to Guantanimio Bay to help. I have my PhD in sociology and don’t know if I have DID but I have a new physiatrist appointments coming up. Thank you for this video.

[@FlokiLothbrooke]

So how would you find the medication if your wanting to get the help needed or what therapy is suggested

[@elibell5098]

For the record, it is becoming less and less common to encourage integration or, as they often call it now, fusion. The data and research just isn't accurate and the reason why is that most folks with DID will end up caving, telling their therapist what they want to hear (that they have integrated). Then they will move on from this therapist, either moving away from therapy altogether or to a more affirming therapist that often doesn't take your insurance plan. Alters/Headmates/Parts, however you refer to your inner tribe, will instinctively run from therapists who do not honor their individual existence. They will hide somewhere in the headspace until it is safe again to emerge. It's sort of like the old belief that you could put gays through conversion therapy. It would seem like it had worked, or the person would work hard to make it appear that the gay was gone. Newsflash, they were still gay. Of course there will be resistance to this kind of therapy!! Try telling one of your kids they have to go away so the other kid can take over the house, see what happens. There is so much more now on healthy communication between alters and sharing space (somewhat like a hippie commune, something I doubt these guys would understand either). There is so much ableism in the belief that folks with DID have to somehow change to fit the preferred narrative of how a human is. It's the social theory of disability-- society isn't wrong, you are wrong for existing in the way that you do, now please change to make us more comfortable. If it was truly about helping and assisting folks with DID to heal in honest ways, more folks in the mental health profession would actually listen to people with DID. When they don't, it means they don't have your best interest in mind. If fusion does occur, it typically is with just a couple of your alters, and it happens all on its own. No theraputic magic trick need apply here. If you have found this video and you are seeking affirming support and understanding, check out some KZbinrs like The Entropy System or Fragmented Psyche. Honestly, I would hope more therapists would do the same. Get the real picture!

[@suzannep]

I am so glad someone came down here and commented about this. I was thinking the same thing as I watched this video. We are excellent at self preservation, that's why we exist after all, and if one of us feels threatened all will do whatever is necessary to protect each other. I have faked being "ok" and being the "host" in order to protect others and myself from feeling like they are not allowed to exist during therapy. That is not helpful to healing problems. Our system feels that what we need is help dealing with troubling aspects of our lives individually and as a whole/ We have absolutely no desire, or need, to integrate or fuse. Mental health professionals need to keep up with current methods and more importantly listen to the desires of the patients.

[@elysiumabove99]

@@suzannep The question is, does it cause distress? Because if the condition causes distress and the host is not aware of what the other alters are doing life can get pretty difficult pretty quick and at that point, the alters are no longer a self-defense mechanism, they hinder living a better life, in which case fusion is desirable.

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

You dont fuse, you remember and rebuild. Otherwise you're using the same code.

[@onetwo234]

The brainwashing by the left is in your way

[@kevinbissinger]

integration and fusion are completely different. integration is removing communication barriers between alters, this happens naturally to everyone either through normal childhood or self care and self soothing as you develop. fusion is when the alter is no longer a separate personality

[@kellygerhart8552]

Trauma is intergenerational, yet to be determined how it translates from parent to child

[@clairerobertson4442]

Time alone no stress helps, concentrating on something else not yourself like a box set helps, sometimes triggers make dissociation just come on again you don't have control of it it just happens, I blackout and switch off my eyes twitch first my head falls bk or down and that's me away until I can force my way bk out of it. No treatment.

[@menemee4318]

hey im here for you if you ever need someone to talk to or listen to. How are you now

[@clairerobertson4442]

I have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder.

[@menemee4318]

I was told this by a licensed therapist. I am seeing a psychologist soon to get officially diagnosed though. Im scared this is scary..

[@thatclover123]

gestalt therapy really helped so much, talk therapy did nothing, trying emdr. If you are fortunate you have loving understanding family - if u are recovering from trauma your family will be the opposite most likely especially if u learn how to set boundaries. Unfortunately even my grown daughter is very cruel to me but I blame myself I was a door mat and married a very traumatic man and things did not go well. Sad really but this is our reality, you grow up in a war zone and do not have a healing environment. Treatment begins in the war zone and getting to the other side means you are a refugee and literally have to leave everything behind and run. I am still in the war zone coparenting with a very evil person and for some if us disassociation is your only safe space.

[@kellygerhart8552]

Marsha Linehan originally developed DBT for schizophrenia, which was later used for BPD

[@kellinmoore2146]

I've been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder since the age of five when I was first diagnosed they called it multiple personality however I didn't have a history of trauma at that time I don't understand how I have had this since I was like five and no trauma at that age does that mean my diagnosis is wrong with a history of about 19 diagnosis of D.I.D? Also no history of drugs or alcohol ever ...i just feel as though i dont have a single identity ..i feel i have many people in the body body we all share the body.

[@94deea]

Could it be possible you simply don't remember the trauma?

[@kellinmoore2146]

@@94deea no not at all .. I have too many people including a twin sister who can vouch for it

[@marika4836]

I think there are other disorders that can create a sense of.... a lack of identity or having many identities but no core self. For example, borderline personality disorder can create this sense. I think DID requires amnesia when one personality switches out.

[@kellinmoore2146]

@@marika4836 yes I have amnesia all different hours throughout the day it comes and goes like I only remember parts of my day like the whole day disappeared from sometimes

[@kellinmoore2146]

I was tested for borderline personality disorder but they told me I did not have that because my personalities are all distinct

[@franceslarsen4037]

lostgirl neverland I have heard of some people developing it, who felt that they could not thrive in their environment, like they felt squelched - surrounded by ignorance and backward thinking, or a sterile atmosphere, when they themselves were inclined to be artistic, creative, spontaneous, independent thinker, etc. and they felt that they could not ever truly express themself in that severely restricted environment, or.... it could be that those close to you also don't remember certain clandestine events that is like a group amnesia, not that I want to talk you into stuff that never happened! Just trying to think of various explanations. The most important thing is that you have your current situation for whatever reason, and it's not as important what caused it, as it is to nurture your current parts/identities:) sorry for rambling.

[@abigailgonzalez5503]

Very useful information. Thanks for sharing

[@juliaaseoane]

So If it’s not a disassociate disorder from smoking weed, what is it?

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

Of it isnt that, then it's anything but that. What are you asking. You smoked weed and see things differently? That happens. Are you dissociated, though?

[@johnton6488]

I strongly believe that "talking" psychotherapy especially for Dissociative disorders and Borderline Personality DIsorders are not effective to treat any significant symptoms/issues/core wounds for these two mental disorders. Based on what is known to be effective to treat at least some of the basic symptoms of DD or BPD I think it is in reality de facto training and retraining of certain skills like: To learn to recognize the early signs that Im currently getting triggered which leads to outburst of BPD anger or dissociative state, train yourself in perspective training (me vs significant other) and other ToM skills, learn techniques for managing impulsive urges through practicing a better coping mechanisms etc. "How are you?" therapy is a waste of time for at least these two conditions

[@kimlec3592]

All so called disorders are actually people just trying to survive having human needs not attended to, such as safety, and belonging.

[@SB-fk8fm]

Why would the family that hurt the child be the one that helps the patient. The bow tie guy doesn’t know shit. He’s pretending the other one knows that there’s been extensive trauma for someone to develop this. I know because I had this. HAD. I started doing self inquiry with AA -which dbt stems from the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The steps are better because you need your soul to access the memories. I had a spiritual awakening and then the memories started coming back. There was no way in hell I could look or even pull this out of my subconscious mind without a higher power. And I did it for the first two years with a sponsor and then for the last three years it’s been strictly meditation prayer self inquiry. Meditation allows the right hemisphere to open. I know exactly what’s going on because I can see now both sides of my brain and I’m bringing it into one. I was DID amnesia. Died at 27 so from 0-27 I was under severe narcissistic abuse with the mother and father. How I survived I don’t understand. Oh I didn’t lol. I went into stasis for the last 20 years completely in my alter got married had kids and the kids are what made me start breaking down as well as really knowing I’m so screwed something is so wrong with me that I didn’t want to live any minute or any day. The desire for life was gone. But I was pretending. Vagus nerve collapse is huge in understanding the two hemispheres. This has been the most incredible journey I’ve lived half lived. I can see both sides and I cannot deny how bad it was. I still don’t remember all of it the sexual parts are hidden still and honestly I don’t want to know all o could hear is the mother crying this is a sin and the far-her not caring. I know they were at first trying to kill me naturally or put me in a mental institute because then the father could collect money from the govt. I never let him in I just kept splitting and splitting in my head al my life they were the best parents lol. I told everyone how great my family was. Man was I ever clueless. I’ve spent my entire life here on fear. I’m good now. Still putting it back together. Sometimes feel nauseous with it all sometimes want to check o it but that’s pretty much where I came from. God is good my higher Self is leading this movie anyways. Lol. I want to add. I’m cured!! I have common sense and logic that fits me. I have access to so much wisdom inside me now. Most likely if youve been abused like this you’re chosen. You have the ability to connect to full on source and create your own system. Your own consciousness. Your pain isn’t for nothing. You can take all that energy of hate and evil that you’ve been protecting yourself from. You split to protect the goodness the soul. So connect with the soul become completely healed. And then lead your system your consciousness into one of heaven. You gain the power of the abuse to do so. So much good can come out of this please give yourself a chance love yourself.

[@kellygerhart8552]

PTSD under MRI exam marks brains intergenerationally with matching lesions. No reason that D I D would be any different

[@lornaprice3748]

Money, is number one reason for not getting therapy. Family is often the cause of trauma so Family therapy can turn into a gaslighting session.

[@Lionsmane419]

Ram dass check him out everyone. Teaches you how to feel again

[@mikelarry9417]

I wish there was a cure for this

[@menemee4318]

Try believing in God and a relationship with Jesus Christ and praying everyday like you would talk to me or anyone and read the Bible everyday.

[@danashannon8234]

Please help me

[@dreamznaspiratons7064]

Find a good therapist

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

I can help you understand.

[@menemee4318]

Hey I'm here for you. How are you feeling? Have you seen a licensed therapist or psychologist

[@keithluebesmier1984]

My ? Is my husband,has physically get me in front of my mother and he says he does no wrong and he blames me for everything if we have a disagreement he'll go lay down for 4 days, because he said that I yelled at him,he said that I said thing to him THAT I never said,if I even ask him anything he get very angry,and will thow phones,he even pick up our grandkids toys thow them and broken them, then tell me I make him do it,, and of I tell him no you did it, he tells me I push him and it my felt, if disagree with him he will come after and hit or punch Me,; tell I say what he wants to say ! That it my felt,. We have thought counseling , who has been doing your management three times this last time was for over 2 years and it's like he pulls the wall over their eyes they really can't see him or what's going on with them because they never see that side of him I've been married to him for 35 years and putting up with this until in physical abuse for 20 years I love them he needs help and I don't know how to get help help all I know is it's making me question who I am anymore and it's bringing up me being mean and starting not to like him

[@Audiatrix]

You know what is strange when they say you must have out of body experiences its tough to explain that since how do you know thats what it is unless someone told you its like when I go to the shops I have issues with shopping centres because of my childhood and ill go there and I always feel lost the shelves are warping and twisting my eyes are shaking and everything is blury as heck there's also stuff like being in the back of the car and some other things that make me do this I could say that very well be an outer body experience but to me that's soo normal and that's how the world looks for And no I don't do drugs or any of that crap just pointing out its like saying to a blind person there blind and they say bullshit everyone sees that way you just don't know if no one is there to tell you thats what it is

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

Those are mood states.

[@Audiatrix]

@@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf you lost me, mood states what do you mean by that ?

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

@@Audiatrix Instead of moods, MPD has mood states - sets of moods. Complete with amnesia between them... separate persons. Small ones. Passing between them makes me dizzy. They call it a "changeover". But it's just mood states.... its personalities... but its mood states. One brain.

[@Audiatrix]

@@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf ahh gotchya certainly makes sense since cheers for the info 😀

[@FirstnameLastname-qp4hf]

@@Audiatrix No, it doesnt make sense and it does. That's the feedback loop. That's one of the ingredients of did. The paradox. It's why people cant "snap out of it".

[@clairerobertson4442]

Talk therapy didn't help for me.