Posted by Pfinstegg on July 28, 2004, at 19:31:30
In reply to Re: Being treated for a dissociative disorder, posted by Shadowplayers721 on July 28, 2004, at 18:55:31
It sounds as if you are doing the same deep, powerful work that I'm trying to do. You are right- it is very, very hard. Some of the things you describe- being unable to speak, or suddenly saying something that one's adult self thinks is very strange- happen to me, too, all the time. My analyst welcomes the strange outbursts, as he feels that they are coming from dissociated parts which are gradually becoming more present in the therapy. The adult part of me sometimes feels that I am "losing it" altogether, and just turning into an incomprehensible mess, but I am trying to learn to welcome these unfamiliar parts, and to understand and comfort them, as he does.
I wanted to describe what my illness and therapy is like, as I think it is very easy to overlook dissociative disorders; possibly many more people have them than even therapists realize. WE don't want to know about it, and, from my own experience, previous therapists I've had have never diagnosed me with it- I don't think it crossed their minds, as I. to surface appearances, was high functioning, and was trying so hard to be *together* all the time.
I am finding that, as I am becoming better able to allow all the parts of me into the therapy, that my depression and anxiety are improving, and that I don't feel that I am carrying such a heavy burden of pain. I do hope the same is true for you. Glad you wrote!
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:371785
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040728/msgs/371807.html