DISSOCIATION: An ongoing process in which certain information (such as feelings, memories, and physical sensations) is kept apart from other information with which it would normally be logically associated. Dissociation is a psychological defense mechanism that also has psycholbiological components. Generally, it is thought to originate in "...a normal process that is initially used defensively by an individual to handle traumatic experiences [that] evolves over time into a maladaptive or pathological process..."
(International Society for the Study of Dissociation)
Dissociation is a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. Most clinicians believe that dissociation exists on a continuum of severity.
Dissociation is the disconnection from full awareness of self, time, and/or external circumstances. It is a complex neuropsychological process. Dissociation exists along a continuum from normal everyday experiences to disorders that interfere with everyday functioning.
Some people with MPD can hold highly responsible jobs, contributiong to society in a variety of professions, the arts, and public service. To co-workers, neighbors and others with whom they interact daily, they apparently function normally.
Definition of Dissociation:
Dissociation is the state in which, on some level or another, one becomes somewhat removed from "reality", whether this be daydreaming, performing actions without being fully connected to their performance (running on automatic), or other, more disconnected actions. It is the opposite of "association" and involves the lack of association, usually of one's identity, with the rest of the world.
It is important to note that a certain amount of dissociation is considered completely normal. Some mental health workers consider dissociation to be a healthy defense mechanism, provided the dissociation itself does not cause impairment of functioning.
ABOUT TRAUMA
What one person has no problem with could be the end of the world for another. Of all the emotions sex and love are the most powerful and therefore most likely to produce mental disorders.
ABOUT MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER AND DISSOCIATION
The dissociative process may result in a series of discrete states which eventually take on identities of their own. Often referred to as "alternate" personalities, these are the internal members of the MPD/DID system. Changes between these personalities, or states of consciousness, are described as switching.
Dissociation and switching may become automatic responses to anxiety and anticipated anxiety, even in non-abusive situations. Even after the traumatic circumstance of long past, the vestigial pattern of defensive dissociation remains. Chronic defensive dissociation may lead to serious dysfunction in work, social and daily activities.
ABOUT ALTERNATE PERSONALITIES
An alternate personality will usually appear to be very normal and there's a very good reason for this. An alternate personality is normal, it will act exactly like any other personality would if it had the same memories.
It is important to remember that all of these "parts" are equally important, and that they are all parts of one whole person.
ABOUT INTEGRATION
It's important to note that none of the personalities die, they simply become one.
ABOUT MEMORIES
Many patients with dissociative disorders need to express the "memories and feelings connected to their traumas, but are afraid to, because of the fear, pain, anger and shame connected to the, of which they may not even beconscious."(Franklin, 1988, Understanding Dissociative Disorders Through Dissociative Signs and Symptoms.)
THE CAUSE
Dissociative Identity Disorder is thought to result from severe and prolonged emotional trauma, physical abuse or sexual abuse during childhood.
Please bear in mind that "severe" is an entirely subjective term.
Some multiples are unaware of any initial trauma. Whether such trauma exists and the memories blocked or whether no such trauma exists is usually impossible to determine.
A constant among multiples seems to be that they are intelligent and creative in a particular sort of way. What seems to happen in most cases is that, to escape the pain/trauma/abuse, the multiple splits off a portion of their "self" (soul, mind, however you would like to look at it), so that THAT portion can deal with the abuse/trauma and they do not have to. [It is possible that the split-off portion may be the portion that does NOT have to deal with the abuse.] The initial split often occurs at the moment of traum/during the abuse. The split off portion somehow attains reality as a person, possibly through pure creative force.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
losing time/being in a new place with no memory of how you got there
feeling "little"/like a child
sudden disorientation/feeling as if you missed something
memories seen as happening to someone else
memories available only sporadically, possibly including non-abuse and recent memories
inadvertent use of the word "we" to refer to self
frequent out-of-character actions that surprise even you
actions that are overset with a haziness, as if you aren't really in control of what's going on; feeling removed from one's actions
other people noting one or more of the above in you
likewise, other people discussing with you things they say you did/said but that you yourself have little or no memory of, provided that you were not under the influence of any sort of drug at the time.
lack of appropriate emotional response
hearing voices or thoughts that don't seem to belong to you
drastic and rapid changes in mood and behavior
eating disorders
EFFECTS OF ABUSE
Endless.
Most common are a low self-esteem and depression. Survivors frequently experience anxiety/panic attacks, memory loss, flashbacks of the abuse; the inability to form permanent, healthy relationships; impaired sexual functioning; extreme fear and self-imposed social isolation.
Notes:
5/13/98
If the childhood abuse was "overwhelming" and the child had to "split" to survive, the ONLY way the adult will ever know about her abuse is through FLASHBACKS."
FLASHBACKS -- a momentary, split-second recollection
Triggered by ordinary events in adult life
The terrorized child will not be ignored for long.
ABOUT ABUSE
Child abuse can be many things. The common image of a battered child is as riveting as it is horrifying, but a great deal more abuse occurs that leaves no visible scarring at all.
Shaming and verbal abuse can cripple and maim a child's pysche as easily and as surely as breaking their bones.
All forms of child abuse arise from inappropriate boundaries between parent and child, as well as inappropriate expectations parents have of the child.
ABOUT TREATMENT
Dissociative disorders are highly responsive to individual psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," as well as to a range of other treatment modalities, including medications, hypnotherapy, and adjunctive therapies such as art or movement therapy. In fact, among comparably severe psychiatric disorders, DID(MPD) may be the condition that carries the best prognosis, if proper treatment is undertaken and completed. The course of treatment is long-term, intensive, and invariably painful, as it generally involves remembering and reclaiming the dissociated traumatic experiences. Nevertheless, individuals with DID(MPD)/DD have been successfully treated by therapists of all professional backgrounds working in a variety of settings.