For many dissociative trauma survivors, various holidays and times of year are more difficult than other days. Some survivors may know they typically have a difficult time at the change of seasons, or when Easter-time comes, for example, but they may not have the memories or internal information to understand why they consistently have a difficult time at that time of year. Are you struggling more now … [Read more...]
Child Parts – When They Hold Suicidal Power and Influence
We've had some very interesting discussions on the "What do you think about Suicide?" blog article. Thank you to everyone who writes and comments on this blog - your participation is valued and appreciated. One of the topics that surfaced on that thread is the idea that trauma survivors with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID/MPD) may have child parts within their system that can be suicidal, and that the ability … [Read more...]
10 Benefits of Being Multiple
Are there any benefits to being multiple? In the typical process of trauma therapy, your therapist and the dissociative trauma survivor will spend a great deal of time talking about how difficult it is to be multiple -- and it is difficult, no doubt about it. For the typical multiple, there were years and years of pain and horror and abuse requiring the need to split over and over into a number of … [Read more...]
Emotional Intensity, Safety and Memory Work
Here is a quote from my article "Overcoming Instability Issues and Unsuccessful Memory Work": "If you cannot speak, in your normal voice, discussing your trauma memories from the safety of the here-and-now while still connected in the present, then don't even try to address your memories. It is too soon." It has come to my attention that I need to expand on these statements. A. Your … [Read more...]
Understanding Child Parts in the Dissociative System
Child parts come in all shapes and sizes - small, tall, skinny, short, chunky, pristine, messy, filthy, princess-like, raggedy, male, female, quiet, noisy, screaming, crying, silent, confused, dazed, sleepy, busy, playful, happy, sad, angry, fearful, bouncing, babyish, stiff, awkward, hurting, numb. As different as they are, they all have similar qualities. They are typically some of the oldest, most knowledgeable … [Read more...]