Systems

At my last session, T said to me "a switch gets thrown in your brain, and the system kicks in to protect you"

I know I dissociate, but it's the first time anyone outside of me has talked about a "system". Huh. He and I don't talk about it very much, but every once in a great while he throws something like that in which makes me wonder....what does he know that I don't know?

It makes me anxious....but I don't like to talk with him about it that much, so I'm just left with the occasional comment from him that makes me scratch my head.

Also - a question. Can anyone dissociate on purpose? Like say to yourself, this is too much, I'm outta here? I thought I could, but I've realized recently, that I can't. It just happens when it happens. I AM starting to be able to feel it happening, and sometimes I can sort of reground myself and stay kind of half-present.

Thinking too much this morning....
K

A system is all of your alters together. They act like a system. Each one performing a function that was vital to your survival. I believe what T was trying to tell you that as you are triggered an automatic response may be to switch and the alter that can best handle the situation will come out. I guess I am not very good at explaining this but maybe you can understand a bit better.

I have never tried to dissociate on purpose it just happens. I am unaware when it happens as I am not co conscious but I think others here are and can probably relate better to that.

BB

I guess I don't think of myself as having alters. Things have been happening lately that make me wonder. And that just scares me and makes me want to

Blah.

I am very sorry. Maybe I made an assumption I shouldn't have without having all the facts. You may want to explore this futher with your t. Hopefully that will help alleviate some of your fears. I am sorry it is causing you so much distress.

BB

((((((((((((((((((((((( bipolar bear )))))))))))))))))))))))

Please don't apologize! Your post was very helpful. I'm just in a weird state of mind today.

I totally appreciated your response!

((((((((((((earthmama)))))))))))

Alters are simply alternate states of mind. I'm of the mindset (and it's only my opinion based on what T has said) that everyone has states of mind. The difference is in the thickness of barriers between them. Whereas bipolar bear and I (and others) have thick barriers to the degree that we are unaware when another alternate state is in the forefront, others are more aware of what goes on when in the alternate state of mind. There are varying degrees of this.

Just remember that you haven't changed. If there are barriers between the alternate states of mind, they've always been there. You're just becoming more aware. Also, people can be highly dissociative without going into an alternate state of mind, in my opinion.

I know it can be scary when you're trying to figure things out. The brain is really amazing at how it learns to cope with things to survive.

Hang in there

Also, as for me, I can't dissociate on purpose. That sure would be nice- I would totally do it when it's time to wash the dishes and do laundry . I dissociate when triggered. Unfortunately it can be with any thing and at any time. Usually it's at quite inopportune times.

Hi folks! Dissociation is in the same area of hypnosis, and if you dissociate, you can probably easily learn to self hypnotize yourself and alter your reality, time etc (no pun intended...it is what you do?) and yes, even to not remembering you had to do the dishes, on demand. You can find books at the library or book stores on self hypnosis. It's quite safe when it's all you

(I wouldn't try to use it as a therapy tool without input from your therapist though. But if you are using it for like enjoyment of time, or pain control, then it's all good, imo.) There's a member here who specializes in hypnosis and I'm sure he could give you pointers on the best books.

lol, I already can't remember 90% of what I do in a day. It would feel like I was going backwards to try to make that happen more. I'll just go with knowing I have to do the dishes and just do it.

((((((((((((((( earthmama )))))))))))))))

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earthmama said: At my last session, T said to me "a switch gets thrown in your brain, and the system kicks in to protect you"

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Hey - well, I think it could be 2 things - and you'll only know for sure from talking with t.

One - It could literally be "the system" as in YOU and how you function. You're going along and TRIGGER and the "switch" is thrown and the system *of dissociation* gets kicked in to protect you.

Two - if could be that your mind is more compartmentalized like BBear and W2H explained and you in fact do have a system of alternate ways of relating to info and stress and have alters that deal with them.

Either way - it's still you. All you. Trust that it will be ok to talk to t about. I remember this stage when I crossed it and I did have to steel myself to push the topic - but i HAD to know.

"And knowing is half the battle" The other is having HeMan or SheRa come in and kick some booty.