Posted by daisym on September 19, 2004, at 22:38:31
In reply to Re: dissociation/memories/dreams*posstrigger* » Pfinstegg, posted by crazymaisie on September 19, 2004, at 22:12:01
Maisie,
I'm sorry you are struggling with this. How long have you been in therapy?
It can take a long time. Don't be concerned about trying to force those memories back...they will come back if they need to. You always have to ask yourself what the value of recoverying those memories is. If they are forcing their way out, you have to deal with them. But to go looking in the dark spaces can cause emotional flooding and you should be with your therapist when you go this. I am surprised by what has come up for me over the past year. Building on what I already knew, I too had many dreams before I knew "the truth". It has been an exhausting struggle to put all the pieces together. Some of what I remember makes no sense...and then I get another piece of the puzzle and things come together better.
There are a variety of techniques to help draw out memories. Do you hear a younger voice inside you? Listening to what her truths are. Don't doubt yourself, just try to accept that you don't know everything yet. Looking at pictures can also help. Again, having a trusted therapist to process this with is really important. You also should be prepared for on-again/off-again crisis stage...feeling like your world is falling apart and you don't know who you are anymore. YOu might have heard it gets worse before it gets better...there is truth in that statement. BUT, getting through it is important.
We help each other a lot here. Don't hesitate to ask. Really. If you like to write, I recommend journaling your dreams. There are also workbooks you can use with your therapy.
I don't know if I helped answer your questions at all. But ask more if you want and I'll try to help.
Daisy
poster:daisym
thread:392652
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040918/msgs/392792.html