MF System

  What is Dissociation? Dissociation is being disconnected from the here and now. Everyone occasionally has times of daydreaming or mind wandering, which is normal. Sometimes dissociation is a way of coping by avoiding negative thoughts or feelings related to memories of traumatic events. When people are dissociating they disconnect from their surroundings, which can stop the trauma memories and lower fear, anxiety and shame. Dissociation can happen during the trauma or later on when thinking about or being reminded of the trauma. When dissociation is connected to trauma memories or reminders, it is considered an avoidance coping strategy. The difference from active avoidance (on purpose avoiding thinking about or doing something) is that dissociation tends to happen without planning or even awareness. Many times, people who are dissociating are not even aware that it is happening, other people notice it. Just like other types of avoidance, dissociation can interfere with facing up...

THIS IS NOT AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF DID MTHYS Myth: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is only about having multiple personalities. Fact : DID is a disorder characterized by having dissociated parts (alters) as a result of chronic childhood trauma. While alters are the best-known symptom of this disorder, they aren't the only or even necessarily the main symptom. Because DID is the result of trauma, it's highly comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), and flashbacks, emotional numbing, nightmares, emotional dysregulation, and pessimism about the future are common. Individuals with DID often have other comorbid disorders as well, including mood disorders (such as major depressive disorder), anxiety disorders (such as social anxiety disorder), personality disorders (such as borderline personality disorder (BPD)), eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa), or conversion disorder (American Psychiatric Association (APA),...

Dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder) is thought to be a complex psychological condition that is likely caused by many factors, including severe trauma during early childhood (usually extreme, repetitive physical, sexual, or emotional abuse). What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder? Dissociative identity disorder is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. Dissociative identity disorder is thought to stem from a combination of factors that may include trauma experienced by the person with the disorder. The dissociative aspect is thought to be a coping mechanism -- the person literally shuts off or dissociates himself from a situation or experience that's too violent, traumatic, or painful to assimilate with his conscious self. Who Is At Risk for DID? Research indicates that the cause of DID is likely a psychological re...

 Brief information for supporters about survivors’ needs  cited from First Person Plural Partners, family, and friends of someone who has a complex dissociative disorder play a key role in supporting them to cope with everyday living and in their journey towards their own recovery. It may seem like an overwhelming or impossible task but there are many relatively simple things you can do.  For instance, understanding the huge importance of consistency, stability, structure, routine and predictability needed by your loved one in day to day living goes a long way towards helping them feel safe. It helps if you can remember to relate to your loved one, however they are presenting, with understanding, empathy, trust and to be nonjudgemental.  Supporting someone who has a complex dissociative disorder is challenging and, at times, hard. The person’s needs can be rapidly fluctuating and it is important that the level of support at any one time is enough, not too little and ...

Practical ways to help people who live with complex dissociative conditions to feel safe.  Adapted from those attending the FPP Members Open Meeting held on 4th April 2009, Carers, supporters, friends, family, professionals to understand the huge importance of consistency, stability, structure, routine and predictability needed by us in our day to day living in order to feel safe. No surprises please.  Carers, supporters, friends, family, professionals to relate with understanding to us as human beings, to trust us and be non judgemental .  Supporters and professionals to be aware and to keep within appropriate boundaries (which those with dissociation find hard) and keep the correct balance between professionalism and friendliness.  Carers, supporters, friends, family, professionals, after discussion and agreement with you, know what to do for your own safety.   Carers, supporters, friends, family, professionals to be real, as defensiveness back from others c...

 For supporters / professionals who do not have special relationships with my different headmates:  ™ Stop what you are doing  ™ Keep your voice calm and gentle (firm admonishment – no matter how calmly toned is not usually helpful, it is particularly not helpful when addressed to a terrified child who will always experience it as a threat)  ™ Do not touch – not even a gentle hand of reassurance or guidance – unless in my distress I am in immediate danger which I have not noticed e.g. walking into traffic  ™ Tell me where I am, why I am there, who you are, tell me the date (year included) Where? may need detail e.g . not just name of town but precise location and further explanation if necessary. It can also be helpful to point out objects in the environment which emphasise it being now, not then e.g. a computer  ™ Reassure me that I am in a safe place now  ™ Encourage me to take slow, deep breaths  ™ Encourage me to sit up or stand with my feet...