Archive for Understanding PTSD
Survey Results: Do you have a cover diagnosis for your dissociation diagnosis?
Thanks for everyone who responded to my survey, and my apologies for the lateness in presenting the results. You are a group of sincere and honest folks who tend to caution, with a desire to be understood rather than be stereotyped. You want to share but are somewhat afraid of some negative action/attitude against you. And you all articulate your thoughts very well – clearly a high functioning group. Read the rest of this entry »
What is your “cover diagnosis” for dissociative identity disorder?
If my employer knew I had a primary diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID), I would probably not be fired, but I would role in the company be changed? But how could they find out? Well, since I am not made of money, my employer pays for my therapy. But nothing is truly confidential. So my cover diagnosis is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Am I being paranoid? Because PTSD is more “acceptable” disorder if my diagnosis leaks out? Does DID somehow have more stigma associated with it than PTSD? What do you think?
Comment: Emotional Flashbacks
I read a post today called Non-Visual Flashbacks after Child Abuse. Everyone can understand what a visual flashback might be, even if they have never experienced one. Faith Allen relays that non-visual flashbacks are another wonderful aspect of PTSD, and she is right. Some thoughts on flashbacks that overwhelm all the senses.
What’s going on in the brain with DID? Biological markers in DID
Since a few of us are rabidly into facts and physical proof, I’ve done some research to understand the biological and physiological changes that accompany DID and PTSD. While those with mental disorders may disparagingly be called “head cases,” it turns out that in the physical sense, that’s actually true .
Dear Ms. DID: Does Altercide, suicide of an alter, kill the entire system?
We know the definition – taking your own life. Some of us understand this terrible state of mind and the internal war accompanying the decision.
This is not an essay on suicide prevention, but an exploration into its relationship to DID.
So I wondered, are those with DID more prone to suicide? If so, why?
I have read that some alters within a system may be suicidal. Are these alters capable of making the decision for the entire system? Would the system let them?
So, it is possible that one alter can “commit suicide” while leaving the others intact? Is killing another alter considered homicide?
And if so, are these alters aware that their suicide/homicide will affect the entire system?
Interesting questions.
Review: “At Hell’s Gate: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace” by Claude Anshin Thomas
A dear friend shared a long phone conversation with me right after I was diagnosed with PTSD last summer. I had thought PTSD implied war….shell shock. Turns out the second most common cause is sexual abuse. My friend came by his diagnosis more traditionally: Vietnam.
He recommended a book “At Hell’s Gate: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace” which struck a chord in me. What follows is not a true review of the book, but a rambling response seen through my own trauma.
Emily First Girl: ...........Camigwen ............Multiplicity 
Comment: A world dipped in fear
June 6, 2008 at 11:21 pm · Filed under Comments, Understanding PTSD and tagged: healing, PTSD, trauma, triggers
I read a great quote today:
Wow. Heavy. True. It’s from a post called Awakenings: Dipped in Fear from the blog of Catatonic Kid: A Mind Boiling Over. It’s a great description of what PTSD feels like.
Read the rest of this entry »
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