It’s Father’s Day. Fathers. Fathers are as difficult a topic for dissociative trauma survivors as mothers. I decided I would recognize this day by writing briefly about a few of the common but complicated topics connected to fathers. I can feel the shuddering going on already. How difficult are these situations for you? A. Saying no to your father According to childhood rules, it’s really not … [Read more...]
Land of the Free?
For folks in the USA, it’s the July 4th holiday weekend. Barbecues, picnics, swimming parties, and fireworks are happening all over the country. Red, white, and blue stars and stripes are visible in every direction. It’s a fun holiday – most people are in festive moods. The point of the Independence Day holiday is to celebrate freedom. It’s about being free, living in a land that is free, … [Read more...]
I Knew You Could! — An Encouraging Children’s Story
The healing process for survivors of abuse and neglect is very difficult. While it is a rewarding journey, it is a painfully difficult process. Trauma survivors with Dissociative Identity Disorder typically have lots of child parts in their systems. Sometimes these child parts may seem to outnumber the adults! Working with the kids is an important part of the healing process. Inside kids often know a lot … [Read more...]
Externalizing Responsibility vs. Internalizing Responsibility
Externalizing Responsibility What an interesting phrase. Externalizing responsibility is when someone fails to accept personal responsibility for the messes they make or for the problems they cause. It is also failing to accept personal responsibility for the situations they find themselves in. Internalizing responsibility is personally taking on the responsibility for what happens (in the past, present, … [Read more...]
When You Know People who Want to Hurt You
Do you know people that truly want to hurt you? Do you know people that are willing to hurt you on purpose? Do you know people that would hurt you over and over, again and again? Did this happen to you when you were a child? Is this experience still happening for you as an adult? What a scary concept. What a horrifying way to grow up. It’s one thing to know that you have been … [Read more...]