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[didcarol]

Podcast on Dissociative identity disorder

I was given the opportunity to chat about my experience with DID to the @mentallyyours team at the Metro. The interview is now available on their podcast.

I know everyone’s journey is different and that we are all at different stages but I do hope people will find it useful . My intention was not to sensationalise DID but to open up a discussion not only on DID but on the lack of therapy funding…

[didcarol]

The madness of the NHS and therapy funding for Dissociative disorders

The madness of the NHS and therapy funding for Dissociative disorders

I am often asked how I was able to get NHS funded treatment here in the UK and given I know there are so many people struggling to get the same help I decided to write this post.

Like many people I had to fight for treatment, a long and often destabilising fight to get those in authority to see that long term specialist therapy made sense given it’s the only internationally recognised treatment…

[didcarol]

What is DID? A brief 16 step guide.

This week I have found myself in London trying to explain DID to a journalist. Funny how suddenly facing a microphone forces one to become more succinct and yet I do find it hard to explain dissociation and how it impacts my life. This got me thinking that maybe others would find it helpful to have a basic intro to DID.

This post is therefore a very basic guide to dissociation and DID.

Dissociati…

[didcarol]

Exciting News

I have never given this blog over to anyone else but today’s  exciting news in the New Years Honours for a stalwart of the D.I.D. Community makes it seem a fitting thing to do.

For those who don’t know First Person Plural founder Kathryn Livingstone was included in the New Years Honours list. She has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to people with a Dissociative Identity Disorder.…

[didcarol]

Therapy and life afterwards

This past week Therapy came to an end and a life transforming journey with my psychologist that lasted 4 years  is now over and to say it exceeded my expectationa would be an understatement. Therapy has provided me with an amazing opportunity  to grow, to develop an understanding of myself and establish a greater awareness of what is important. So I thought I’d explain a little of the journey and…

[didcarol]

Living life successfully - what does progress look like

Living life successfully – what does progress look like

Progress comes in many guises, but long term talking therapy can make huge differences to a persons life. During the past eighteen months I have felt myself shift and change, as I began to learn more about myself and the different parts of me. I’ve come to realise that hope is possible, and those with a dissociative disorder can live life successfully.

If someone had told me ten years ago when I…

[didcarol]

Feeling unwell

It’s been a tricky few weeks so much has happened and yet what has impacted the most has been a sore back. I have damaged a couple of the discs in my lower back and this has resulted in a trapped sciatic nerve, which is more than a little painful. In fact when it first started it felt far worse than any labour pains I had endured. My bad back has meant I’ve had to rest and that’s not been so easy…

[didcarol]

To discuss trauma or not?

To discuss trauma or not?

Over the years I have encountered many therapists, I have seen people of varying levels of expertise and the way they work has been very different. Most of those who I saw in the past had a keen focus on the trauma itself, desperately wanting me to regurgitate the events of my childhood. But is that the best approach for recovery, does it help to go over and over the bad things that happened.  …

[didcarol]

The influence my past has upon my today

The influence my past has upon my today

Over the past few weeks I have found myself struggling as the past invades my present, my here and now. It came to a head when I received a letter from the hospital saying my psychiatrist appointment had been amended, I would no longer see the doctor I was expecting, instead a random stranger. I haven’t seen the original doctor for ten years, but the fact I knew he was ok had made my transition…

[didcarol]

Delays in posting

I just wanted to update people, Sorry I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks now but life’s been a bit chaotic. I had a bit of a relapse a couple of weeks ago due to a trigger and so have felt quite fragile. I’m ok and trying to focus on just getting on with life, I am aware I’m  cramming my days full as a coping mechanism.  I need to stop and have a good old cry and then I should be able to get…

[didcarol]

Time To Let Go Of My Past

Time To Let Go Of My Past

This week I have been trying really hard not to look back, not to keep focusing on my past but instead look towards my future as well as the here and now. I’m consciously aware that it is so easy to keep finding myself ruminating about the past, the abuse and those who abused me. Yet I realise that is not going to help me recover, in fact if anything it’s actually adding to the torment of my…

[didcarol]

Healing is a mixture of tears, anguish, heartache and grief interspersed with smiles, laughter and fun.