Re: Re: To my DID friends

[FirefliesMulti]

Thanks for the video, but some of the text was very hard to read on those backgrounds.

[HappyDad98036]

I am very fortunate to have found two counselors (in the same office--colleagues) who have accepted me as I present. They are "out of network", so they are more expensive for me, but to me the risk of encountering a negative response is far more hurtful than the loss of money. (I had encountered two dr.s prior to counseling who suggested I "get out and walk some more" or "here's some pills, that's what you need."

LOOK LOOK LOOK until you find a good counselor or Dr!!

Thx for the video!!

[castorgirl]

@HappyDad98036 I agree, it can take awhile to find the right therapeutic fit. But that wait and search is worth it!

Take care,

Sophie

[Darterri]

when I was about 7& an agent came 2 my mother about show biz & child modeling he asked me a series of questions 2 c if I had the right personality / I altered, I heard & sawmyself talking but I couldn't stop, I dont know what I said but I heard him tell my mom she needs professional help. There r skeptics & religious minded people who think u having self pitty, deception &mk-ultra, I had no knowledge of these thing when I altered but I know this happened w/ a room full of witnesses.

[Jheysoda]

I am very intelligent.

I have a very high IQ 135

I have 5 children

I have friends

I have a family

WE do not.

[devils1angelbaby]

we have a feeling that we have DID wenever knew wat it was. we never tell anybody about it, though some of us have tried to get it out before. there are only four of us, all very different, and the one we call shadow is who we fear the most. but we are wat we would consider high achieveing and functioning, and being only in middle school we worry of the taunts that would come along with people knowing,

[mirrorofmanyfaces]

Sophie you are a dream come true a light shining so bright in the dark, all of my new found friends are so dear and trusting and we love you all.

[PolarB36]

Sophie I like this video for several reasons- 1 because you make excellent videos that I love watching - 2 because I am highly functional too. Most friends & people that know me have no idea I have DID. Only those that are in my inner circle of close knit friends do I reveal all these parts of me . I have alot of fear because of all the typical sterotyping that is out there. I dont want to be viewed as a nut case because we arent. We are very sucessful in living our lives and happy. Bear Hugs!

[timetravel21217]

think you are okay or just attention seeking - and here I got my degrees in mental health and psychology - probably should have become an accountant! The new version of Sybil, by the way, is the same old same old - just extra commentary on the dvd and such.

[timetravel21217]

(continued) but I was a fuller, stronger together person, able to deal with the rigors of college life. I got my A.A., B.A.. and did graduate course work until my daughter was a year old....during this time I kept in occasional touch with him; I also saw an eatiing disorders therapist for my continued problems in that area. That didn';t fly too well - it wasn't until my pregnancy that I was able to end the eating disorders - but my point is - if you have any successes in your life, people

[timetravel21217]

wow does some of this hit home...I guess I was lucky to get in with a good therapist in my late teens thru mid twenties...even tho back then (presybil days I call them) very few people knew of DID or MPD. I had been to a few psychiatrists before him and got the good old schizophrenic diagnosis...thankfully, he disagreed with that diagnosis. It was after our most intense work that he contacted Vocational Rehab to get me started in college. I wasn't fully "cured' or whatever by then....

[awesomeastrid]

Thank you for psoting this.I feel your pain..I am off blogging with members of the group I live with also. More then ever the "media portrayals" need to be cleared up first. Our experience in therapy in New York, with present therapist is most clinicians do consider DID real and valid however I know some who do not. I am sorry for your expereince Do not lose hope ever Peace Maria

[castorgirl]

Hi Maria,

Thank you :)

We know there are some really good and positive mental health professionals out there - we've met a couple of them... It's just frustrating to hit the stereotypes associated with DID when we don't fit it. Have yet to meet anyone who does fit the stereotype actually :)

Take care...

Sophie :)

[awesomeastrid]

Hi Sophie,

Your welcome..I think what you say is so mportent as to why people need to understand what "spectrum" means, I or Toni is going to discuss more about this, and how one can feel disorderd at times and be fine other times too.. and that inconsistancy is not disordered not really, just like a home can get out of order, it can always be picked up again like many in life, not stuck as always a cluttered home in disaray labeled in that one way... keep up great work Peace Maria

[missdisorientated]

Thanks for posting this.

I am a survivor diagnosed with BPD by my psych, my therapist says my diagnosis should be complex ptsd... but neither or them believe me when I try to explain there isn't just me.

I've spent so long trying to hide my other parts... but since i've started therapy they have come closer to the surface...I am so confused.

My biggest fear is not being believed, as I was not believed by social services as a child.

In the UK, there are barely any doctors that believe in DID.

[castorgirl]

Hi,

So sorry that you're going through this.

Dissociation is all about hiding and appearing "normal" or usual, so we can understand why you all hide.

It's hard to trust that you won't be hurt by talking about what is happening on the inside. It's even harder when people in authority have not believed you in the past... Just take your time and be as honest as you can with them.

(((warm safe hugs))) to those who want them.

Take care

M.

[landofhealth]

just want to say hi from bluebell and littles.. you're vids are great.. thank you for making them. am ill and my mental health services yhave been cut to 1/2 hr every 2 weeks .. i'm in such a crisis and the services for these types of illness in my area are not there.

also wanted to say, my psyc team think im putting it on when i switch to get attention but i have no memory of when it happebns.

anyway, hugs from bluebell and crew x

[castorgirl]

Hi Bluebell and the crew,

So sorry that you've been treated like this. Do you have after hours emergency crisis lines that you can call? Sometimes they can be helpful and put you into contact with further assistance.

Can you change your psyc team?

Wish there was something I could do to help...

Glad our videos help a little - even if nothing else to let you know others are out there struggling with the same sort of things.

(((warm safe hugs))) to those that want them.

Take care

Sophie :)

[Maddisun]

We've been very lucky. Being diagnosed since teen age has helped other professionals see the diagnoses as real and true. We've never been to a therapist or doctor who has not believed in the disorder, nor has ever questioned our diagnosis. We've been tested 5 times, and each time have been diagnosed with DID, along with other things. More importantly, nobody knows you like yourself, so don't worry what anyone else thinks or says :)

xx

[castorgirl]

We've had pretty bad luck with the mental health professionals in NZ. We've just been assessed for disability levels, and its taken them 7 months and three psychiatrists to agree on a diagnosis! We'll find out this week what they've decided...

Usually we don't care what people think - well we try not to care. It's just that the mental health professionals determine the help we get - or don't get.

Glad you've had good experiences.

Regards

M

[ManyMults]

Question is, som thin bout... O, how u get support if u dont 'make problems othrs?' If othrs kno bout it, som on oldr persn sa, the thin bout it, an so there prolem. Oldr ons an Us confusd. Sory, but ar...  Midls

[castorgirl]

Hi

"Don't make your problems and issues theirs" its aimed at people who project (or make) their problems & issues other peoples. So if you go somewhere to get help, you shouldn't have to prove yourself & your diagnosis.

Everyone has the right to ask for help.

There's a big difference in asking for help with a problem & pushing your ideas onto others. Everyone deserves help & protection, no one deserves to be treated with suspicion.

Hope this explains it.

Regards

Management

[ManyMults]

Ya, The way the 2ed d*ct8r did our 'DID asseesment' in 5 hours was it? was, We brought it up, and she LOOSLY questioned Us asked us if We were ab*sed, told her, she said can't happen that way... Tryed to talk to us. We sc*ed. Only think sa at report time, was no othr voces, so not DI'D'... 1st D*ct8r idn't even bring up... Not belive in MP'D'... An ;mom,dad' belive the d*ct*rs ovr Us... Now in stange home... no one talk to... Sc8red... Midls ar... Oldr ons ok... An, Oldr ons had Question.

[castorgirl]

(((warm safe hugs))) only if you want them

Wish I knew something to say that could help, but I don't.

Heaps of D*'s don't believe in DID and some don't seem to really understand dissociation. We've had assessments where we've felt so unsafe that there is no way that any switching would occur. Others where things are so out of control that we were switching all the time.

Sorry all of that happened to you all. Feel free to message us if you want to - ANYTIME ok.

Take care

Sophie

[cheekyleopard]

I went to my docs the other day.Currently im recovering memories, and when i wake up i can hardly move as it effects me that much physically.He said " why cant you get a job?".You could talk to them for 100 hours and they still wouldnt grasp the complexity of it.He just makes me feel small, and less of a man than him.I could of been a doctor , a solicitor etc! TOSS*R! Anywayz hope your healing process is progressing as well as it could. Take care :-)

[castorgirl]

(((warm safe hugs))) only if you want them...

Healing is tough work and lots of people don't understand that...

Any chance of changing doctors? It's difficult to be open and honest with someone if they're going to treat you like that.

It's winter over here and that's always bad for us. We're off to a new clinical psychologist on Monday, so there's all the problems with trusting a new person, wondering how they'll react to us etc :(

Take the best care you can...

Sophie & others :)

[cheekyleopard]

I told 8 people originally.This included my step mum, auntie and sister and best friends.Not one of those people has supported me, and some have even used what i told them against me! So basically they have re-infoced the messages i aleready have!

I really hope your appointment goes well and you feel comfortable with him/her. I guess im wondering if there is any good people around!! And your right,no1 would understand the pain of healing! - i couldnt put it into words! Take care :-)

[castorgirl]

I read that a newer version of "Sybil" was shown recently in the US, it'll be interesting to see what effect that has on the public and professional opinion of DID.

Take care :)

Sophie

[GwynniePennie]

I'm newly DX'd, and I have already decided that I don't want this in my medical records, for everything your video reinforces. People simply don't/won't understand. My husband accepts this and even goes with me to every session he can and I have told a couple of other people who can be trusted.

I suppose it will be many years before DID is accepted by the majority of the medical profession, not to mention the general public.

Gwynn

[castorgirl]

Hi ya

Sorry was in a wierd mood when I answered you before...

We're in New Zealand where there is GREAT resistence to any of the Dissociative Disorders amongst the mental health profession. We've got Complex PTSD and DDNOS on our medical records and that causes enough problems :(

It's great that your husband is so supportive and you have a few people you can trust :)

Wishing you all the best on your healing journey.

Take care...

Sophie & others :)

[cheekyleopard]

Sorry dnt wanna seem like im spamming your great vidoes, they just get me thinking about stuff - its a compliment. :-)

Another thing i hate, is the lack of support for survivors. There seems to be support and help for everything else.I believe its all part of a conspiracy to stop the general public knowing just how rife this all is.Makes me sick.Ive had to pay for therapy, ive had no free support. My g.p. didnt even know what E.M.D.R. treatment was - that about sums up the ignorance I.M.O.

[castorgirl]

I'm glad they make people think :)

Support depends on where you live. In New Zealand there's government funded coverage for therapy, psychiatrist etc. But it means going through assessments to see if you qualify :(

There is also the state run mental health system - my therapist said she wouldn't trust her cat with them let alone a human.

But there's no support groups unless you are part of the DBT program or a general victim support group.

Unfortunately ignorance isn't always bliss!

[cheekyleopard]

I also get free health treatment, as im in the uk, but it is also based on getting a diagnosis.Ive never been diagnosed by a shrink as i was scared id get put away.Ive had brilliant physcotherapists who have spent over 100 hours ( not 40 minutes) in my company and said that i would be diagnosed with d.i.d., but have said that they could help me process it all, so ive stuck with them.Also help groups are a problem because im too open.I dnt want to sit there and be careful about what i say!

[cheekyleopard]

I also think part of the problem is that we are the experts! I too have researched and alot of survivors ive spoken to on the net have- prob more than a medical professional - on d.i.d. and trauma.

Also we are the ones experiencing it. I often argue with my therapist.I got told i had d.i.d., and now im integrating my personalitys or different memories - depending on how you view it.

Its a shame we cant give ourselfs therapy as we know what we need, shame no1 else seems to !

[castorgirl]

There's so much debate about the validity of DID as a diagnosis, let alone its treatment. As with all areas of mental health, there is no 'one cure' for DID. I know some people find drugs assist with symptoms, while others don't. Some find DBT helpful, some CBT, some EMDR and some talk therapy.

We've found no drugs to ease the symptoms we experience & had a REALLY damaging experience with mindfulness.

Great to know that you're on track though :) Keep it up :)

Take care

Sophie

[cheekyleopard]

I know what you mean. Yeah im making progress, but whats at the end of it? Take away all the masks ive had my whole life and theres very little left.How can i define who i am? We are based on our past experiences,but ive never been myself? Wow , talk about complicated!

[cheekyleopard]

My physcotherapist introduced me to mindfulness, i was using it to become aware of my surrounding during intense memory recovery.

[castorgirl]

I know its a cliche, but "finding yourself" is part of the healing process in my opinion.

Glad mindfulness works for you, I know many people who've found it beneficial - in fact nearly everyone else on the course did. It was just too much too soon for us.

Take care

Sophie

[cheekyleopard]

Alot of health 'professionals' are full of cr*p.

My g.p. said to me " i think your just one of those people who will never be happy". I plan to re-visit her after spending 2 years of recovering memories of abuse, kidnapping, and witnessing horrific events - I think the conversation will be intresting.

Yet again , a great video.

[castorgirl]

Thanks :)

Yeah its when people - health professionals or layman, jump to conclusions that's so frustrating.

Think of how much stronger and further along the healing journey you'll be in 2 years...

Take care

Sophie :)

[RainbowsBubble]

good vid. whats the song? we like it.

[castorgirl]

Hi.

It's U2's "Sometimes you can't make it on your own". We got it from the U2 18 Singles album.

Sophie

[RainbowsBubble]

thanks, we like it, might download it, the vid was real good.

[castorgirl]

Thanks :)

Take care

Sophie

[AMANDAnMEs]

Thanks Sophie,

Need to message you's about this!

Hope you're all ok-ish?

Lovies

xxx

[castorgirl]

Hi ya.

I didn't do this one - I don't have the anger that's behind it.

It's always ok to message us :)

Yup we're fine :)

Hope you're all taking as best care of yourselves as you can...

Sophie.

[castorgirl]

Hi,

If you want to message us about anything, it's not a problem. I did this video, but Sophie is usually the one who does yt. She will also be the one to respond to your message - I'm not very good at the whole social thing.

I do the assessments which is why I was the better one to tell our perspective.

Sophie described it as anger, but its not. It would be more accurate to describe it as frustration and disappointment. They're meant to help - not cause further hurt.

Regards

Management

[cheekyleopard]

Thanks for the offer, the same goes to you!

Yes i agree totally. The very least you can expect is compassion, and on top of that a bit of skill and knowledge would be nice aswell.

Most gp's ( the first point of call for most of us) are useless with mental health- anti-dep are the answer for everything for them.