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What is Dissociation, anyway? I am not a therapist, but as publisher of MANY VOICES since 1989, I’d like to tell you a little about dissociation as I understand it. Some of this is based on my own experience as one diagnosed with DD-NOS. (That’s Shrink-speak for "Dissociative Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified.") Though nearly everyone has experienced episodes of dissociation (unknowingly passing up an exit on a freeway, "blanking out" occasionally) people with a Dissociative Disorder use dissociation routinely to cope with stress. Think of it as a way to "escape" without leaving the scene. It seems that DD develops in people who (a) have the capacity to dissociate (b) are subject at an early age to repeated trauma (often child abuse—physical, sexual, emotional or all three—but sometimes other traumas, such as operations to correct birth defects.) The results can range from annoying problems with memory, to extreme disconnection of various parts of the self from each other, often with amnesia. For example, feelings such as anger may be segmented off from the rest of the personality and emerge in an uncontrolled fashion, or roles such as work or marriage may be handled by one or more parts or fragments of the personality, leaving the rest of the individual ill-equipped and possibly unaware of these activities. Thus, a wonderful housewife and mother might have parts of herself that really don’t "believe" they have a husband and children, and don’t interact with them the way "the mother" does. People with an untreated Dissociative Disorder may appear to function well in society, yet inside they may feel awful, confused, crazy because of "lost time" and bewildered by the extreme changes of mood and belief they experience. Suicidal feelings are common, and some may attempt suicide. Many are seriously depressed. Other self-destructive behaviors include cutting or self-mutilation, substance abuse, eating disorders, associating with abusive persons, or undermining their own constructive goals. Some people with a Dissociative Disorder repeat the abusive behavior they experienced as children with others, even with their own children. No level of society is immune to dissociation. There are physicians, lawyers, executives, computer programmers, salespeople, truck drivers, students and homemakers—as well as the homeless—who are working to recover from very uncomfortable dissociative symptoms. However, with appropriate treatment, many people with DD greatly improve their level of functioning and personal comfort. Some learn to cooperate internally, and stop their harmful behaviors. Others eventually "integrate" or reconnect the separated parts of the personality, reaping additional benefits such as added energy and inner peace. There are several different diagnoses that come under the heading of a Dissociative Disorder. An experienced therapist can best explain these differences, or you can read about them in the DSM-IV, available at your local library. No one chooses to have a serious emotional health problem. But each of us can choose to do our best to get better, and live healthier lives. I’ll be glad to send anyone who writes a free sample issue of MANY VOICES. For professionals, an excellent source of treatment information is the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) at 8400 Westpark Drive, Second Floor, McLean, VA 22102 . Email for information. Its website is www.isst-d.org. Sincerely, |
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After years of serving thousands of recovering people in the US and abroad, MANY VOICES needed a structure that could carry it forward into the future.That's why, in April 2007, it became a not-for-profit corporation, registered in the State of Ohio. Our IRS filing for status as a 501(c)(3) charity was approved as of Dec. 26, 2007. Donations to MV are fully tax deductible to the extent of the law. MANY VOICES chose to convert to a charitable status because I'm getting old and frankly, it's too much for me to do alone, to keep traumatized individuals, their families and friends informed. MV is dedicated to providing a place of hope and encouragement for the difficult problems of recovery. We welcome your contributions, ideas, and volunteer efforts. Please contact us anytime. Sadly, the number of trauma survivors in today’s society is rapidly increasing, and encompasses several groups that MANY VOICES could provide with specialized publications or services, given sufficient resources. There are great needs for support materials and assistance for traumatized war veterans, torture victims, rape victims, even survivors of catastrophes such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. The families and employers of traumatized people also need educational materials and help to maintain potentially-difficult relationships with persons who suffer from PTSD, depression, eating disorders and other manifestations of traumatic experience. MANY VOICES already has the basics to assist with this service, but needs additional funding to complete the mission. We also want to assist researchers who want to alleviate trauma treatment through new or modified methods. We are glad to announce research projects through our printed and e-newletters and resource supplements. We have lots of great ideas. We simply need more funding! To assist awareness of the sources and effects of severe trauma, MANY VOICES may publish the personal recovery stories of survivors, or compile selections of their art works in book form. Joint publications by therapists and clients might be considered. Traveling survivor-art exhibits, and other creative expressions (plays, videos, poetry readings, music or dance performances) could serve to create a sense of community among survivors and enhance public understanding of trauma’s serious impact on daily life. Since at present MV’s subscriber base is primarily made up of survivors of severe childhood abuse, MV may become more proactive in developing or supporting child abuse/domestic abuse prevention programs and activities. Information packets to assist local support groups may be developed, too. In 2009, MV launched a new FREE biweekly Currently, MANY VOICES is undertaking the development of a special, separate public education website that will offer people new to trauma a way to connect with those who have expertise and accurate in-depth information. This new site will offer interactive functions that may reduce visitor's sense of being alone with their problem, or isolated from “normal” humanity. We hope to launch this special website as part of our mission in 2010. Almost every day, new challenges in trauma treatment surface in which MANY VOICES could play a useful role. If you have ideas about what needs to be done, please contact us. Sincerely, with love to you all, |
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