[DocJohn]

Use this thread to discuss any of the articles you read in Issue 2, thanks!

DocJohn

Any way you can thumbtack this post up top or put into forum so that it stays up top until the next newsletter comes out and a new thread starts?

or is it just me who would like that?

[(JD)]

Dissociation is the coping method of choice for many of us, but what happens when dissociation begins to interfere with our responsibilities and our daily lives?

Isn't chosen dissociation called meditation?

When does dissociation NOT interfere with life?

Ok new topic. On one of the links Dec 4th? site, it has this site as a link (catchy eh?) but it lists it as Dr Grohol's mental health page. (Find a reason to live another day.) But all I found was the home page here. If I'm familiar with this site, and didn't see it in my depression, I doubt anyone else will.

[SweetCrusader]

I probably should have put "primary" instead of "chosen" method. I originally wrote that article for "Many Voices" newsletter, so it was directed originally toward those for whom dissociation is the number one method of coping. Make sense?

And dissociation does NOT always interfere, Sky. Sometimes dissociation is a very adaptive and healthy, life-promoting response.

[SS8282]

I agree with you SC, about dissociation not always interferring. I guess it depends on the degree or 'why'. The first time I 'dissociated' was when I was getting beaten up. It helped me 'survive'. So in that sense, it was positive.

[jetblackaura]

What exactly is dissociation?

[SweetCrusader]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I agree with you SC, about dissociation not always interferring. I guess it depends on the degree or 'why'. The first time I 'dissociated' was when I was getting beaten up. It helped me 'survive'. So in that sense, it was positive.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

~SS~ Actually, everyone dissociates. It's not an unusual thing, or something that happens ONLY in response to trauma (such as getting hit). Even just daydreaming or spacing out is dissociation. It's just that some dissociation is more severe than other dissociation. But yes, dissociation is a common response to traumas like physical abuse, and that's when it tends to be higher levels of dissociation. And then, at a certain point, it becomes diagnosable- when it interferes severely with regular functioning. But the vast majority of people dissociate, without it interfering with normal functioning.

~Jetblack~ here is a thread about dissociation:
http://forums.psychcentral.com/showf...5&o=93&fpart=1

[Peanut61]

Just wanted to say that I thought the newletter was very well done, and that all of the contributors did a FANTASTIC JOB!!

[Maya]

Dissociation certainly interferes with my daily life - not as alters or anything - I just "go away" and leave a little portion of "me" out so I can keep track of what is going on around me and this topic is high on my list to discuss with my T because it has gotten much worse the closer to Christmas it gets. But that has nothing to do with the newsletter...Sorry...I did enjoy the newsletter very much - I read every article and followed some of the links (some of which went to commercial sites...). The article on grief at Christmas and holidays was very helpful - since my mother died May 30 and my father-in-law in March both my husband and I are grieving as are both of our families. And last Christmas was the first Christmas Day I had spent with my mother in over 25 years so it was especially meaningful for me - and especially hard for me now. I have always hated holidays - especially Christmas and New Years - at least since I was around 10 or 11. This Christmas will be the first time my family has been together since my Mother's Memorial service in June and I know it will be very emotional. I copied out the article on grief and plan on sharing it with the rest of my family. I had already been following the forum remarks regarding the article on Christmas depression but it was nice to see it all written up so well. I think the newsletter is a great idea! Thanks to everyone who worked on it - it is a great sharing for all of us who visit the forum.

[silver_queen]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Even just daydreaming or spacing out is dissociation.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Ha I do that a lot at work. I work on the checkouts and I end up thinking about things and just scanning things through automatically, I don't see what I scan or anything, I suddenly just wake up and realize that I hadn't been paying any attention at all, since I had been lost in my thoughts and hadn't been aware of what was going on. Luckily it hasn't caused me any problems with the customers yet lol.

[silver_queen]

I really like the newsletter though, I think it is a great idea to have it, and the articles are all very informative and well-written. I'm glad such a thing exists at Psych Central

[kimmydawn]

i would like to reply to chosen dissociation. no, for me chosen dissociation is NOT meditation...not in the least. i'm very blessed that i can allow myself to "go inside" i can set it up and do it. it's very necessary for our funtioning. also, it's been a primary factor at t. it's working wonderfully so far. it's also done when no insider comes out...i heard it referred to as a "restorative trance"...very appropriate i feel. it still would be different to me than meditation, for the fact that there would be little to no memory...or one would be watching if he/she did remember.

also, this "chosen dissociation" does not interfere with my life, it's a skill i've honed to improve my functioning. in fact, without taking time to do this, after a few days i don't do well at all.

i "go inside" and certain convos/triggers will pull out anyone who has input/reaction. that's it. it's a skill that i think most DID'ers possess. i actually read about it in a book and realized i'd been doing that most of my life without realizing it.

so, yes, i think there is safe, chosen dissociation...and it is not meditation for me. however, i reckon this would just apply to DID? maybe not...

kd

[radio_flyer]

Thank you Albert Sadacca. I love the Christmas lights. I love the "million light displays" too. It is free. It costs me nothing to enjoy the splendid holiday displays of millions of twinkling lights.

The spectactular displays always sparks a smile and a giggle from my inner child and makes my lil heart dance. The bigger the display, the more the excitement from within.
<font color="green"> </font>
Christmas is a season of celebration. The Birth of our Lord and Saviour. <font color="green"> </font> <font color="green"> </font> The lights are no more than candles on a birthday cake..... Next thing, somebody will want to take the Christ out of Chirstmas. Then what??????

[SS8282]

Thanks Peanut.

[SS8282]

((((((mars))))))))) I'm sorry for your loss. I hope the article will help everyone else too. I guess it helps to know that there are others in the same 'boat' you're in. Good luck. Take care, and remember - you're not alone. Hugs.

[lenjan]

Hey, don't forget the person who kept the contributors from looking grammatically idiotic (that would be me ), and the person who did the layout (that would be DocJohn). Just because you don't see our names on articles doesn't mean we don't contribute! (I'm very touchy about that. Reporters get all the glory and editors never get any credit! Trust me on that one -- I work in newspapers.)

Candy

[SpazKatt]

I just want to say good job to SS and Ozzie, and the others that contributed!

[(JD)]

You are being facetious, right? (What do you think Xmas is???)

Yes, for only a second issue it's a good thing going already.

Ah yes, the proverbial editors. Whenever I wrote, I always ADDED something for the editors to delete so they felt they did their job (they needed to be needed too, and EDITING is what you do, right?) and my article would stay intact. Haven't read it all yet, pretty clean copy so far.

[ada37]

I was happy to see the article on colleges trying to identify and help students with emotional problems. I believe this is especially important since many mental health problems begin during or are exacerbated in early adulthood. I don't envy the youngsters away at college at all. College campuses certainly are not the secluded havens they maybe once were.

[SweetCrusader]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Hey, don't forget the person who kept the contributors from looking grammatically idiotic

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Umm, Candy, that's kinda rude.

[lenjan]

It wasn't intended that way, just a statement (particularly to Ms. Sky) that EVERYBODY had work to do on this issue. I thought her remarks were disparaging as well. And I *did* have a fair bunch to clean up. Which is fine, as that's my job. I'd just appreciate a little credit for the time I put in as a public service, you know.

Candy

[Fuzzybear]

hmmm.... "gramatically idiotic" ??

Perhaps think about choosing slightly different words in future...... or perhaps keeping some of your opinions(judgements) to yourself?



This is a "supportive" community!!!

Just my 2 cents.

Fuzzy

[lenjan]

Geeeze ... I've already apologized once here and once in the actual newsletter forum. What else do you want? I didn't appreciate being told I didn't do anything, when I actually did a lot.

<zips lips, possibly for the rest of my life>

Candy

[Fuzzybear]

I don't think I ever said, or thought, that you didn't do anything.

Fuzzy

[Fuzzybear]

PS Your point about the work you did on people's grammar etc was valid. I have been called on my "attitude" ie. my choice of words, here in the past, and so have a lot of people. I don't think it has to be a biggy. I just felt like expressing my opinion, that is all.

*Goes back to cave*