The Dissociated Self in Trauma

[David Baxter PhD]

The Dissociated Self in Trauma
All In The Mind
Aug 22, 2009

This week's show is a difficult one... because it tells stories of severe abuse in families, in our neighbourhoods, behind a front door near you, perhaps next to you, perhaps behind your own front door. It's also difficult because it questions our very conception the self as a singular, bounded entity. And...because it alludes to continuing debates over 'recovered' memories, the power of therapeutic suggestion and boundary crossing in psychiatric practice (though this program doesn't cover that in any detail it is an undercurrent in the discussion).

You'll have heard of Multiple Personality Disorder (remember the movie Sybil? And, have you been watching the incredible Toni Collette in The United States of Tara on ABC1 if you're in Australia?). As of 1994, MPD has been called Dissociation Identity Disorder.

The diagnostic term is used to describe a set of complex behaviours and psychological responses to early trauma. In the face of horrid, systematic abuse the young mind is considered to adapt by compartmentalizing aspects of the abuse and their self, within. For many people, this persists into later life, and in the most extraordinary ways. Not as multiple selves necessarily, but perhaps rather as many partial, underdeveloped selves where different emotional responses occupy different crevices in the psyche.

And of course, we all dissociate to an extent by hiving off difficult experiences from immediate awareness.

Zoe Farris will share her candid story. Also on the show is Adjunct Professor Dr Warwick Middleton, a Brisbane based psychiatrist, who directs the Trauma and Dissociation Unit at the Belmont Hospital.

Program details, readings and the audio all here.

 

[Jazzey]

What an incredible and insightful recording. I haven't listened to all of it just yet, but it offers so much by way of understanding dissociation.

While I am not diagnosed with multiple personality disorder (nor do I think this will ever be part of my diagnosis) even as someone who's highly dissociative, I can relate.

One sentence that I understand, how certain "innocuous" words can make me go away in my head. For instance "just relax". My closest friends have always commented on recognizing when I'm with them, and when I'm not. "loosing time and not knowing why, or the trigger that made you lose that time".

Thank you for finding this Dr. Baxter - really insightful.

 

[forgetmenot]

Hits to close to home This person talking could very well be my twin same identities the angry one, the child, seductive one and more. It make me want to cry. Im just glad there are doctors who specialize in this field and are helping people heal from all the trauma and to live with this disorder. Very informative and insightful and somewhat hopeful as well.

 

[amastie]

Dr Middleton first diagnosed me and I'm familiar with Zoe. I'll be glad to view the reference.
Thank you,

Especially am I grateful for the inclusion of these words:

"Not as multiple selves necessarily, but perhaps rather as many partial, underdeveloped selves where different emotional responses occupy different crevices in the psyche".

That's the first time I've ever heard reference to this somewhat lesser form of DID. I once asked my current psychiatrist whether I could truly be considered DID - because I dp mostly experience as fragments who occupy my internal world, and manifest outwardly very little (though more with passing years). She explained that DID refers to the nature of the experience, not whether it is acted out in a certain way. For the purpose of formal diagnosis, I might be referred to as DID "Not Otherwise Specified" - but whether or not that is true, my inner reality, the dynamics at work, are the same as it is for anyone with DID. The same issues are involved.


amastie

 

[forgetmenot]

"Not as multiple selves necessarily, but perhaps rather as many partial, underdeveloped selves where different emotional responses occupy different crevices in the psyche".

I like this statement as well different emotional responses it really makes one understand what my twin is going through.

Sometimes it scares me because i am worried about the emotions i have been going through but i know i am fine just the pain sometimes causes some confusion.

 

[amastie]

"Not as multiple selves necessarily, but perhaps rather as many partial, underdeveloped selves where different emotional responses occupy different crevices in the psyche".

I like this statement as well different emotional responses it really makes one understand what my twin is going through.

Sometimes it scares me because i am worried about the emotions i have been going through but i know i am fine just the pain sometimes causes some confusion.

Just to let you know Violet that you are far from being alone

:heart: :support: :flowers:

 

[lostintheabyss]

this is all very helpful but also sad. currently ive been doing alot of `soulsearching` and i find so much in common with myself and D.I.D. if anyone can help me i do have a question. i know it is common to have have multiple mannerisms but is it possible for one to have a `care switch` now what i mean by that, is that i cant take any form of compliment or praise about 90% of the time. i find myself getting not just getting angry and queered out but. i become very hostile and negative. my mother has been helping me and she notes back to as young 8 years old, that even when people would sing happy birthday to me, i would run away crying and hide. for some reason it triggers something. any insight could help, thanx

one thing at a time.

 

[forgetmenot]

I don't know but i think alot of people who have had a child hood that was traumatize find it hard to take positive feedback. They are used to hearing only negative things and they start to believe these words so when positive words are giving to them they don't know how to accept them. I hope i am making sense I know i find it very hard to take positive feedback because it contradicts what was strummed in my head when i was young. Not saying this is what is happening to you just a thought thats all.