For me, integrating is not as important as helping all my parts to function well together. That is what my goal is. Since my family of origin was so extremely toxic, I consider all my parts the "family" that helped me survive and thrive as an adult. Having a big, gorgeous standard poodle as my Psychiatric Service Dog has made a huge difference for me. This course of treatment is an adventure ~ there are good times and scary times "outlined" by who I am today because of all my parts. I was very lucky to have been sent to a Psychologist who specializes in Complex Trauma and PTSD. I am also under the care of a Psychiatrist who did a double residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry who specializes in Trauma. I have a great team of doctors to help guide me when I need guidance and who are good listeners. I have a lifelong love of learning and am actively choosing to experience "this" as another learning experience.
For me, integrating is not as important as helping all my parts to function well together. That is what my goal is. Since my family of origin was so extremely toxic, I consider all my parts the "family" that helped me survive and thrive as an adult. Having a big, gorgeous standard poodle as my Psychiatric Service Dog has made a huge difference for me. This course of treatment is an adventure ~ there are good times and scary times "outlined" by who I am today because of all my parts. I was very lucky to have been sent to a Psychologist who specializes in Complex Trauma and PTSD. I am also under the care of a Psychiatrist who did a double residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry who specializes in Trauma. I have a great team of doctors to help guide me when I need guidance and who are good listeners. I have a lifelong love of learning and am actively choosing to experience "this" as another learning experience.
Good for you.
Each of us gets to decide what we want to do and how to handle our Helper Parts.
They helped us survive. I honored each of them for that.
I have 42 journals that I wrote to figure this all out. I would write with my left hand to give the parts a way to Express themselves. This, along with a fantastic therapist who understood all of us, well it helped the ones who chose to integrate. And I realize while I do not have many parts left there are a few. The rest of them chose to go because I was handling things well and I was out of danger.
When that happened, I got to keep all their gifts. So they are still here with me assisting me as before, but just no longer separate.
I honor my parts, past and present, because they kept me alive in a very bad place with very bad people.
And you get to choose for yourself. There are no right or wrong dicissions. It's your life.
I'm so jealous, nope, too strong a word. I sure wish I would of had a service dog. Cuz the touch of an animal is so important to living well, at least for me.
I sure wish you well, I truly do.
Bright Wings
Beau has made a huge difference in my life. I can go out anywhere with him and not feel crippling anxiety because he is always right next to me. I'm very happy for you, Bright wings. You have traveled so far! I wish you well too.
Beau has made a huge difference in my life. I can go out anywhere with him and not feel crippling anxiety because he is always right next to me. I'm very happy for you, Bright wings. You have traveled so far! I wish you well too.
Yes, I'm flying now.
Oh there ate still storms to handle at times, each of us has them to handle.
But for the most part I am the master of my ship....
Smiling at you. Bright Wings
Good for you.
Each of us gets to decide what we want to do and how to handle our Helper Parts.
They helped us survive. I honored each of them for that.
I have 42 journals that I wrote to figure this all out. I would write with my left hand to give the parts a way to Express themselves. This, along with a fantastic therapist who understood all of us, well it helped the ones who chose to integrate. And I realize while I do not have many parts left there are a few. The rest of them chose to go because I was handling things well and I was out of danger.
When that happened, I got to keep all their gifts. So they are still here with me assisting me as before, but just no longer separate.
I honor my parts, past and present, because they kept me alive in a very bad place with very bad people.
And you get to choose for yourself. There are no right or wrong dicissions. It's your life.
I'm so jealous, nope, too strong a word. I sure wish I would of had a service dog. Cuz the touch of an animal is so important to living well, at least for me.
I sure wish you well, I truly do.
Bright Wings
Hello, Bright Wings! It has been awhile, therapy is going well whether it is in person or online as we did for months. I have begun to write my memoir, using a word processor. That way I can type in what is in journals and then arrange them in a timeline. It is becoming an interesting process. I was happy my therapist suggested this!
I have recently had a very silent part "speak up" and was really worried about what would come up. It is anger. Something I could never express, something that I always ran from because of what it meant in my home of origin. I am leaning into anger, gently, trying to "get" that feeling without being terrified. At 67, and as a retired Massage therapist, my "body therapist" mind, kicks in and helps, too.
It is bittersweet parenting myself at this age and really throughout my life. Then I realize what an incredible gift of a brain I have been given to help me get to where I am today. I really appreciated your last reply. it is nice to be able to talk to others who are working their way through this diagnosis.
We are ready for Fall, cooler temps and some rain would be such a blessing.
Hi to all of you. This series of discussions has been eye-opening for me. I am very interested in learning more and want to stay in the loop. Can anyone send me links on DID? It may be very helpful. Thank you! @suzbyrne
I really appreciated your post. Especially the phrase, "I am leaning into anger, gently, trying to "get" that feeling without being terrified." That is so great!
Leaning into a feeling displays gentleness with yourself and you need that if your childhood was less than gentle.
I agree that it is "bittersweet" to parent oneself at an older age, but I agree that it is a wonderful experience at any age.
I'll look forward to hearing from you again. Will you continue to share some of these lovely ideas?
I really appreciated your post. Especially the phrase, "I am leaning into anger, gently, trying to "get" that feeling without being terrified." That is so great!
Leaning into a feeling displays gentleness with yourself and you need that if your childhood was less than gentle.
I agree that it is "bittersweet" to parent oneself at an older age, but I agree that it is a wonderful experience at any age.
I'll look forward to hearing from you again. Will you continue to share some of these lovely ideas?
Yes, Teresa, I will. Thank you for your kind comment. I have been most fortunate to have wonderful doctors ever since I came to Mayo in Rochester and saw Dr. Farwa Ali, she is a wonderful doctor and a phenomenal human being. I will have to write her a letter one day when my tremors are low. Her care and her kindness were what I carried with me from Rochester.
Hi to all of you. This series of discussions has been eye-opening for me. I am very interested in learning more and want to stay in the loop. Can anyone send me links on DID? It may be very helpful. Thank you! @suzbyrne
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
For me, integrating is not as important as helping all my parts to function well together. That is what my goal is. Since my family of origin was so extremely toxic, I consider all my parts the "family" that helped me survive and thrive as an adult. Having a big, gorgeous standard poodle as my Psychiatric Service Dog has made a huge difference for me. This course of treatment is an adventure ~ there are good times and scary times "outlined" by who I am today because of all my parts. I was very lucky to have been sent to a Psychologist who specializes in Complex Trauma and PTSD. I am also under the care of a Psychiatrist who did a double residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry who specializes in Trauma. I have a great team of doctors to help guide me when I need guidance and who are good listeners. I have a lifelong love of learning and am actively choosing to experience "this" as another learning experience.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsGood for you.
Each of us gets to decide what we want to do and how to handle our Helper Parts.
They helped us survive. I honored each of them for that.
I have 42 journals that I wrote to figure this all out. I would write with my left hand to give the parts a way to Express themselves. This, along with a fantastic therapist who understood all of us, well it helped the ones who chose to integrate. And I realize while I do not have many parts left there are a few. The rest of them chose to go because I was handling things well and I was out of danger.
When that happened, I got to keep all their gifts. So they are still here with me assisting me as before, but just no longer separate.
I honor my parts, past and present, because they kept me alive in a very bad place with very bad people.
And you get to choose for yourself. There are no right or wrong dicissions. It's your life.
I'm so jealous, nope, too strong a word. I sure wish I would of had a service dog. Cuz the touch of an animal is so important to living well, at least for me.
I sure wish you well, I truly do.
Bright Wings
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsBeau has made a huge difference in my life. I can go out anywhere with him and not feel crippling anxiety because he is always right next to me. I'm very happy for you, Bright wings. You have traveled so far! I wish you well too.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsYes, I'm flying now.
Oh there ate still storms to handle at times, each of us has them to handle.
But for the most part I am the master of my ship....
Smiling at you. Bright Wings
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions***Beams a big smile right back at you***
Hello, Bright Wings! It has been awhile, therapy is going well whether it is in person or online as we did for months. I have begun to write my memoir, using a word processor. That way I can type in what is in journals and then arrange them in a timeline. It is becoming an interesting process. I was happy my therapist suggested this!
I have recently had a very silent part "speak up" and was really worried about what would come up. It is anger. Something I could never express, something that I always ran from because of what it meant in my home of origin. I am leaning into anger, gently, trying to "get" that feeling without being terrified. At 67, and as a retired Massage therapist, my "body therapist" mind, kicks in and helps, too.
It is bittersweet parenting myself at this age and really throughout my life. Then I realize what an incredible gift of a brain I have been given to help me get to where I am today. I really appreciated your last reply. it is nice to be able to talk to others who are working their way through this diagnosis.
We are ready for Fall, cooler temps and some rain would be such a blessing.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi to all of you. This series of discussions has been eye-opening for me. I am very interested in learning more and want to stay in the loop. Can anyone send me links on DID? It may be very helpful. Thank you! @suzbyrne
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHello @paulalina
I really appreciated your post. Especially the phrase, "I am leaning into anger, gently, trying to "get" that feeling without being terrified." That is so great!
Leaning into a feeling displays gentleness with yourself and you need that if your childhood was less than gentle.
I agree that it is "bittersweet" to parent oneself at an older age, but I agree that it is a wonderful experience at any age.
I'll look forward to hearing from you again. Will you continue to share some of these lovely ideas?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYes, Teresa, I will. Thank you for your kind comment. I have been most fortunate to have wonderful doctors ever since I came to Mayo in Rochester and saw Dr. Farwa Ali, she is a wonderful doctor and a phenomenal human being. I will have to write her a letter one day when my tremors are low. Her care and her kindness were what I carried with me from Rochester.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI don't really have any links for you, however, I would like to welcome you to the conversation, suzbyrne.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions