questions: dissociative disorders version #2

Continued from https://forums.psychcentral.com/diss...rsion-101.html

What's your favorite holiday?

I hated all holidays, they were all sad for me. But this year my friend wanted to change that for me so we made a weird and wonderful mix of Christmas and Hanukkah. It was two days long and full of Christmukkah miracles and food and silly music, we made paper decorations and we burnt a round of candles on the menorah for every bottle of wine we finished. I bet the neighbors thought we'd gone nuts. So that's my favorite holiday, whatever it was. We will do it again. It was my first really happy holiday.

How do you pronounce "species?" Speeshees or speesees or something else?

speesees

How many stuffed animals in your home?

let's see..

stuffed dog

2 stuffed bears

stuffed pig

stuffed lion king toys- mufasa, simba, nala, scar, rafiki, and pumba.

stuffed tigger, winnie the pooh, and kanga

stuffed mouse and stuffed cat

a horse, a hamster and a tortoise

all 4 teletubbies

a monkey

and a dinosaur

so a lot

are their any animals (or non human) alters in your system

I don't have any parts of me that are not human. I don't think. I have dreams about animals that seem almost human.

Have you ever experienced the "feeling" of truly feeling safe? Do you have a memory of feeling safe and are you able to feel it now?

sometimes, with T.

same question.

I just answered this on another thread, but yes, I have felt safe. I didn't when I started treatment, but I do now. It started with feeling safe at t's. Then I imagined a place and used EMDR to strengthen it. Now, I feel safe sometimes. Not all the time, not yet. But that is one area where I have had a huge improvement.

What kind of therapy have you tried?

As a child I felt safest when I was alone and in nature. We had these trails in a forest that we rode minibikes on. They were so peaceful and beautiful.

Since an answer was given with no question, I'd like to restore balance to the universe and post a question without giving an answer:

Have you ever found yourself in a funny situation or pickle because of switching/dissociating? What was it?

Finding myself in bed with someone....both naked.....

How long did it take you to map your system out?

I'm wondering if I will ever get to the place where I get it mapped out. There is a general idea of the strongest parts of me, but there are other parts that keep coming forward. I guess eventually it will all come together.

Do all the parts of your system share the same moral and spiritual beliefs?

I am not doing well with the withdrawal symptoms from xanax. I feel so sick and there is nothing I can do

Nope...not at all as far as I can tell.

Were you ever in active denial and just tried to be "normal?"

Yes. I don't want this diagnosis and I want more than anything to be normal. I just want to be me.
Who do you trust?

What is your diagnosis? There's nothing wrong with having a diagnosis. It is part of who you are and that's nothing to be ashamed about. We just have to learn to live with the diagnosis and make sure that the diagnosis doesn't control us or define us. Have to find that balance.
Who do you trust? I would hope that you have some people that are your support system. Trust is a powerful thing and shouldn't be given to just anyone. Pick those people very carefully.

Do you feel a diagnosis defines who you are?

I don't feel that my diagnoses defines who I am, but I think it has definitely shaped a large part of my life, which does partially define me, so it does partially I guess.

Have you tried journaling and did it help?

I do journal and it does help. It's like having a conversation on the computer. It's a relief to just get it out and read it.

Do you journal and does it help?

I journal when I am confused or conflicted about something, when there is just too much noise going on.

I am sort of backsliding-anxious, sad, needy. I was doing better for a while there. Have you ever had a while where you were doing better, and then got worse again? What happened?

Yes. That happens for me when a part of me, that I have not acknowledged, comes forward. Journaling helps me greatly to sort it out.

When you journal, do you journal your thoughts or the parts of you that want to be heard?

Just my thoughts. Most of the time I'm not aware of the others.

How much time do you lose on a daily basis?

I think it's that non linear way of healing that the line goes up and down continuously as we are learning and healing. The good news is that being down the next move will be up It's okay to be sad and needy. Wrap up in a blanket and read a book or just cuddle with yourself, enjoy some quiet time with a good uplifting movie.

What lifts your spirits when you are down?

I love mym usic.

in particular, the group little mix.

I think they are great

jokes too!. I love hearing a good joke

when was the last time you laughed?

Hmmm....I don't remember when the last time I laughed was. My memory is a blur at best so it might have been recent but I just don't remember.


How long have you been in therapy for? How much do you feel it has helped?

on and off for 15 years.

how much do we find it helpful?

not much, but only due to circumstances (mainly family medaling)

have you ever doubted your diagnoses?