It’s Halloween weekend. This is a difficult, heavy weekend for a lot of dissociative trauma survivors. I’ll say right upfront – and please hear this clearly -- that it is NOT a difficult or triggery weekend for every DID trauma survivor. To assume that every dissociative survivor has experienced the same kinds of abuse is completely wrong, and I will be the first trauma therapist to say that not everyone … [Read more...]
Addressing Depression in Trauma Disorders
It is no secret that trauma survivors get depressed, and depression is the most commonly known and experienced mental health disorder. Typical depression symptoms include: Suicidal thoughts, recurring death thoughts, death wishes Suicidal behavior and suicide attempts Self destructive behavior, self injury, self harm Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, self hatred, or not deserving to live Loss … [Read more...]
When It’s Dark and Scary on the Inside…
Trauma survivors with Dissociative Identity Disorder can see an internal world. Step back, turn around an look inside - it will be there. What happens if you have looked inside and all you see is a lot of darkness, or desolation, and not so many people with welcome arms? First of all, think about what internal darkness means to you as an individual. There are a variety of … [Read more...]
Internal Communication – The Core of Treatment for Dissociative Identity Disorder
I ended my last post with these words: Focus first on relationship building with your parts. Get to know them. Talk to them. Learn their names. Overcome your fears of who they are. Appreciate their strengths. Develop friendships with them. I guarantee that your overall stability will greatly improve as you are more connected with your internal system on a genuinely friendly, caring … [Read more...]
Is Your Life How You Want It to Be?
I’ve been thinking for hours now about what kind of profound post I would make at the beginning of this new year. Or this new month. Or this new day. My words are still trickling in slowly…. So, while I’m thinking, I’ve decided to ask you all what you are thinking…. What are your goals this year? this month? this week? And, seriously, if you could rule the world, what would you do? What changes would you … [Read more...]