#Posttraumatic stress disorder treatment

[sppc2016]

Who can access Panchakarma therapy for mental wellness?

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in holistic approaches to mental wellness, and one such practice gaining traction is Panchakarma therapy. Originating from ancient Ayurvedic traditions, Panchakarma therapy involves a series of cleansing and rejuvenating treatments aimed at restoring balance to the body and mind. While traditionally used to treat physical ailments, there is increasing recognition of its potential benefits for mental health conditions. However, understanding who can access Panchakarma therapy for mental wellness is crucial for individuals seeking alternative approaches to mental well-being.

Panchakarma therapy encompasses a range of techniques, including massage, herbal treatments, dietary changes, and detoxification procedures. These treatments are tailored to each individual's unique constitution and health concerns, making it a personalized approach to mental wellness. While Panchakarma therapy is generally safe for most individuals, there are certain factors to consider when determining eligibility for this treatment modality.

Assessment by Ayurvedic Practitioner: The first step in accessing Panchakarma therapy for mental wellness is to undergo a comprehensive assessment by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. This assessment typically involves an evaluation of one's physical health, mental well-being, lifestyle factors, and medical history. Based on this assessment, the practitioner can determine whether Panchakarma therapy is suitable and beneficial for the individual.

Overall Health Status: Individuals with certain underlying health conditions may need to proceed with caution or avoid certain aspects of Panchakarma therapy. For example, pregnant women, individuals with severe medical conditions, or those undergoing intensive medical treatments may not be ideal candidates for Panchakarma. It's essential to discuss any existing health concerns with the Ayurvedic practitioner to ensure safety and efficacy.

Commitment to Lifestyle Changes: Panchakarma therapy often involves not only in-clinic treatments but also lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, herbal supplements, and daily routines. Individuals seeking Panchakarma therapy for mental wellness should be willing to commit to these lifestyle changes to maximize the benefits of the treatment.

Mental Health Assessment: Since Panchakarma therapy for mental wellness focuses on restoring balance to the mind-body connection, individuals with mild to moderate mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, or insomnia may benefit from this approach. However, those with severe mental health conditions may require a multidisciplinary treatment approach involving Panchakarma therapy alongside conventional psychiatric care.

Personalized Treatment Plan: Panchakarma therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each individual's treatment plan is tailored to their specific needs, constitution, and wellness goals. Therefore, it's essential to work closely with the Ayurvedic practitioner to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses mental health concerns effectively.

Accessing Panchakarma therapy for mental wellness offers several potential benefits

Stress Reduction: Panchakarma treatments such as Abhyanga (oil massage) and Shirodhara (oil dripping on the forehead) can help alleviate stress and promote relaxation, leading to improved mental well-being. This aligns with the concept of stress management therapy.

Detoxification: Panchakarma therapies like Virechana (purgation) and Basti (enema) are designed to eliminate toxins from the body, which can have a positive impact on mental clarity and emotional balance. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals seeking post-traumatic stress disorder treatment.

Balancing Doshas: According to Ayurveda, imbalances in the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) can contribute to mental health issues. Panchakarma therapy aims to restore doshic balance, thereby addressing underlying causes of mental distress.

In conclusion, Panchakarma therapy can be a valuable tool for promoting mental wellness, but it's essential to determine eligibility based on individual health status, mental health concerns, and willingness to commit to lifestyle changes. By working with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and following a personalized treatment plan, individuals can access the benefits of Panchakarma therapy for improved mental well-being. For those seeking Panchakarma treatment in Delhi, options such as Ayurvedic hospitals like Patanjali Hospital Delhi can provide access to experienced practitioners and comprehensive treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

[healthyboom]

How to Overcome Stress and Find Inner Peace

Life has a sneaky way of piling things on, doesn’t it? One moment you’re breezing through your to-do list, and the next, you’re wondering why you got misty-eyed over a cereal commercial. It’s wild out there, so it’s totally okay to need a little time-out every now and then. For those times when you’re not quite sure if you’re just tired or on the brink of a meltdown, here’s a fun (but oh-so-real) list of signs that stress might be doing the tango on your last nerve.

Sleep? What’s That?

If you hop into bed and your brain decides to replay every episode of your life instead of letting you snooze, stress could be the uninvited sleepover guest. Try some lavender mist on your pillow or Naturecan’s CBD gummies to help you chill out before bed and see if that helps.

Coffee Can’t Fix This

We all have our morning rituals, but if you’re guzzling down cup after cup and still feeling like you’re in slow-mo, it’s a sign all might not be well in your body and mind.

You’re Suddenly Tearful

Ever find yourself getting teary at the drop of a hat? Yep, even over those weird infomercials. Stress can turn those tear ducts into open faucets. It’s much harder to regulate your emotions when you are under a lot of stress, which is why seeing a good therapist can often be a great idea.

Your Belly’s Upset

If your stomach’s acting like it’s on a rollercoaster when you’re firmly on solid ground, stress might be steering the ride. Butterflies in the stomach can be a sign of stress and anxiety, but they can also be a sign of something physically wrong with you too, so if they persist best to get them checked out.

A Case Of Forgetfulness

Ever read a page of a book and then had no clue what you just read? Or forgot why you opened the fridge? When stress levels rise, memory can take a nosedive. So, before you start panicking about cognitive decline issues, think about whether you have been feeling particularly stressed lately.

Your Skin’s Not Playing Nice

When you’re adulting, but your skin decides to revert to its teen years, it’s time to check in with your stress levels. A good therapist may well be better for you than a dermatologist at this point.

Everything Feels Overwhelming

The mail’s piled up, the laundry’s giving you side-eye, and even choosing a snack feels like a major decision. If the small stuff feels like climbing a mountain, it’s time to take a breath, and think about whether you might need some help for your stress.

Obviously, if you think you might have a stress problem, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible. This information is just a general summary and only a medical professional can diagnose chronic stress in you. That being said, fi you do spot any of these signs, you should act sooner, rather than later.

[diogxnxs]

Donald Duck suffering from PTSD was in fact already made into an official comic years back.

It is a product of its time, so I had to censor the slurs that were considered normal then. It's dark humor given what people were going through at the time. It didn't help that the victory in Europe overshadowed the war in the pacific that was still ongoing when they were already celebrating. It's quite symbolical that Donald was stationed there because despite his number 1 status during WW2 Era as a man duck soldiers could relate to, his popularity would eventually wane in the US during the peace time, overtaken by Mickey Mouse. And, as the comics go, he's not been having a perfect time in Duckburg either as seen in The Magnificent Seven (Minus 4) Caballeros written by Don Rosa who too is a Three Caballeros fan. All of Rosa's stories were set around the 1950s, post-war era.

Our poor veteran war hero cannot catch a break. Not only did he face the horrors of a war where no man can ever come out normal but Duckburg in the post-war era wasn't that kind in the treatment of our US Veteran either. Another sad part is that Military Medicine regarding PTSD was fairly new in this era. It was first called "Shell Shock" or "Old Sargeant's Disease." Eventually, it was referred to as "Combat Stress Reaction" (CSR) during WWII but colloquially it was referred to as "battle fatigue." They didn't even think it was a real thing until the numbers started showing. Initially, people thought that those who suffered from it were those who weren't made of "hard stuff" but even the toughest of men would suffer in that war. This led to a completely different outlook. Treatment for it back then wasn't that developed either and adjusting to civilian life after living in a state of conflict for so long is difficult. Despite this, Donald was able to raise three kids on his own and live a fairly normal high-functioning life taking on various jobs from being a sailor again to even being a policeman. (Or a superhero. Yeah. That one counts too) Donald Duck serves as a great symbol of hope and grit for the good that can still be had in life in spite of the troubles we've experienced. Because if this white duck can bounce back, so can you.

Some Sources: History of PTSD in Veterans: Civil War to DSM-5 WWII Post Traumatic Stress Posttraumatic stress disorder and the World War II veteran Duck and Cover: Donald’s World War II Short Subjects Donald Duck Received Official Discharge Papers from the Defense Department

[electricbloodflow]

dissociative experiences scale 2

The DES is such a fun diagnostic tool. I've had a couple of therapists and psychiatrists administer it to me. It's an empirically tested scale that gets a feel for tbe magnitude of a person's dissociation.

I score differently depending on alter (they reason what each question means and how frequently it occurs differently) but usually score in the 45 to 65 range. When I was younger my scores were generally in the 60 to 80 range. Progress!?

I used to score high on questions like dissociating so hard you literally see yourself in the third person and you are approached by people you don't recognize who know you, but I very rarely experience that anymore. I keep forgetting about the experience of seeing myself in the third person during dissociative episodes - that was such a severe symptom that I used to occasionally experience.

For anyone interested in taking it, you can take it here. Today, I obtained a 66. I have been unusually stressed lately.

The website has some interesting information on here. In studies, certain mental illnesses were associated with certain scores.

>!Dissociative Experiences Scale Scores

Explained High and Low DES Scores

High levels of dissociation are indicated by scores of 30 or more, scores under 30 indicate low levels. Successful treatment of a dissociative disorder should reduce the DES score when compared to the result before treatment began. Very high scores do not necessarily mean a more severe dissociative disorder is present, this is because the scale measures both normal and pathological dissociation.

Dissociative Identity Disorder and the DES

Only 1% of people with Dissociative Identity Disorder have been found to have a DES score below 30. A very high number of people who score above 30 have been shown to have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or a dissociative disorder other than Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Clinical Uses of the Dissociative Experiences Scale

If a person scores in the high range (above 30) then the DES questions can be used as the basis for a clinical interview, with the clinician asking the client to describe examples of the experiences they have had for any questions about experiences which occur 20% of the time or more. Alternatively, the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS) or Structured Clinical Interview for Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D) can be used to reach a diagnosis.

Average DES Scores in research:

General Adult Population 5.4

Anxiety Disorders 7.0

Affective Disorders 9.35

Eating Disorders 15.8

Late Adolescence 16.6

Schizophrenia 15.4

Borderline Personality Disorder 19.2

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 31

Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified 36

Dissociative Identity Disorder (MPD) 48!<

[sysmedsaresexist]

📚 Further Reading 📚

Changing the Score the Body Keeps: Somatic Therapies for Adverse Childhood Experiences

Several articles about treatment that appears to be ongoing. Something to keep an eye on!

Articles include:

Emotional freedom techniques for treating post traumatic stress disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

The impact of adverse childhood experiences and posttraumatic stress symptoms on chronic pain

Higher adverse childhood experiences interference with targeted early intervention to reduce persistence of adult subacute pain: a feasibility open trial

Using energy psychology to remediate emotional wounds rooted in childhood trauma: preliminary clinical guidelines

[binaural-histolog]

Academic Papers on NLP

From one of my reddit comments...

So the best introduction to NLP is this video by Irving Kirsch. Here are the slides.

But if you want to really research NLP, you should get into the original papers. This is great fun and relatively easy these days. If you have Zotero and the Scihub plugin for Zotero, you can plug in any DOI link and it'll come up. You may have additional papers that you want to pull from citations; I use Semantic Scholar to turn citations into DOI links that I can get Zotero to pull.

So here's my research on NLP (if you copy and paste the URLs into https://sci-hub.hkvisa.net/ they'll give you the PDFs):

Predicate Matching in NLP

The Eyes Don’t Have It: Lie Detection and Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Research findings on neurolinguistic programming: Nonsupportive data or an untestable theory?

Mental imagery as revealed by eye movements and spoken predicates: A test of neurolinguistic programming

Neuro-linguistic programming treatment for anxiety: Magic or myth?

Double hypnotic induction: An initial empirical test

Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes

Thirty-Five Years of Research on Neuro-Linguistic Programming. NLP Research Data Base. State of the Art or Pseudoscientific Decoration?

 "Rewind for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Trial". Depression and Anxiety. 2023: 1–11. doi:10.1155/2023/6279649.

Muss Rewind Therapy to alleviate symptoms related to some form of traumatic experience: A thematic analysis of participants' experiences and their perceived effectiveness of MRT". Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 24 (1): 258–274. doi:10.1002/capr.12644. ISSN 1473-3145.

There's also the papers that Michael Heap did:

Neurolinguistic Programming - An Interim Verdict

Neurolinguistic Programming: What is the Evidence?

Neurolinguistic Programming: A British Perspective

The Validity of Some Early Claims of Neurolinguistic Programming

Also recommended is @ellaenchanting's overview and Wordweaver's discussion on what NLP repackaged.

[theorgantrail]

ableism in bioethics: a summary

Among the disability justice movement, the impression of bioethicists as dangerous eugenicists is a common one. Debjani Mukherjee, Preya S. Tarsney, Kristi L. Kirschner don't disagree, and in their article, "If Not Now, Then When? Taking Disability Seriously in Bioethics", offer an internal critique of their field. In service to public health, clinicians must address social justice and disability.

The essay addresses three points:

Historically, the medical field has not been good for disabled people.

Disability was either a shame to be hidden away or dehumanizingly paraded around

Disability was something to be bred away; eugenics

Lionizing disability as inspirational; an objectifying gaze

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that the lives of the disabled can be judged by clinicians to fatal effect: "Melissa Hickson says her husband was denied potentially lifesaving treatment because doctors at the hospital made a decision based on their biases that, because of his disabilities, Michael Hickson had a low quality of life."

2. The reaction by the disability justice movement is reasonable, not "extremist".

"Some people with disabilities experience great anxiety and sometimes a reaction akin to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder when they must engage with the health care system. She learned that many people with disabilities distrust that they will receive competent, equitable, and unbiased care. The ableist chapters described above have undoubtedly left their residue, as has the egregious medical history of anti-Blackness and racism."

"…you cannot presume to know about disability without the voices of lived experience and substantive engagement with people with disabilities."

Personal testimonies and opening conversations about disabled concerns is necessary

3. ADA legislation is not enough

The ADA offers necessary protections and increased accessibility, but there are still limitations in its application. There is still more work to be done.

"As a field, bioethicists have not yet earned the right to call ourselves allies in the disability civil rights movement."

There should always be room to critique where you can do better.

[scaryarcade]

i hate this damn post so much and it showed up on my dash recently so i need to rant a little bit about the parts that bother me the most lol. putting it under a cut because it's not the prettiest or most well-constructed argument i've ever made, i mostly just want to be a bitch about it.

almost cult-like in what way, lmao??? all the preceding sentence describes is...someone being attached to a community they like and feel valued in. following that up with "eww, culty, right?" is just weird fearmongering. also, why wouldn't this hypothetical person look any further? in what plural circles are you witnessing anybody be anything less than wildly supportive of self-exploration??? really the fearmongering about cults is what squicks me out here though lol you can't just say shit like that without an actual argument to support it

this conjecture is so fucking stupid i don't even know where to begin. where is proof for any of this? do you actually think endogenic plurality research has more funding than research on dissociative disorders? do you think even if that were the case that would be endogenics' fault or responsibility??? i dare you to point out anything, anywhere, indicating the endogenic community has any kind of collective opinion on how DID treatment should work. it would sure be weird if they did because most people who do not perceive their plurality as disordered therefore aren't looking for treatment for it!

i mean, yeah, you're just describing an unwillingness to work on a symptom, you've very nicely made it look like there's a correlation with iding as plural here but there really isn't. if someone who IDs as plural thinks they can get away with "my alter is just an asshole" then that person would be just as likely to use the logic "i'm just an asshole" if they didn't. "well, somebody COULD use [x] to avoid working on their problems!" is not an indictment of [x] because people can use literally anything to do that.

ok im just going to be a huge bitch here and get on my antipsych high horse a little bit but LOOOOOOL. LMAOOOO. oh noooooo...ND/MI people supporting each other and creating resources for each other instead of revering the psych industry above all else...ahhh so scary!!! Somebody do something!!!

could not disagree more! i'm diagnosed with DID, i experience complex dissociation and posttraumatic stress symptoms that inform literally every area of my life, AND I STILL find a lot of common ground with endogenics/nondisordered plurals and have learned a lot from them and been helped significantly by what i've learned :thumbsup:

anyway this post sucks, i think it's full of fearmongering and bad faith arguments. i also think fearmongering is something this particular user is really good at along with sounding like they're making clever and insightful points when what they're saying doesn't actually have any weight behind it, and their determination to villainize endogenics (and their attempts to paint them as a group with some kind of significant societal power???) is alarming. don't like to see that.

[thoughtportal]

A federal judge has blocked much of Indiana's ban on gender-affirming care for minors

June 16, 202311:28 PM ET By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — A federal judge issued an order Friday stopping an Indiana ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors from taking effect as scheduled July 1.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sought the temporary injunction in its legal challenge of the Republican-backed law, which was enacted this spring amid a national push by GOP-led legislatures to curb LGBTQ+ rights.

The order from U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon will allow the law's prohibition on gender-affirming surgeries to take effect. Hanlon's order also blocks provisions that would prohibit Indiana doctors from communicating with out-of-state doctors about gender-affirming care for their patients younger than 18.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit within hours after Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the bill April 5. The challenge, on behalf of four youths undergoing transgender treatments and an Indiana doctor who provides such care, argued the ban would violate the U.S. Constitution's equal protection guarantees and trampled upon the rights of parents to decide medical treatment for their children.

Indiana's Republican-dominated Legislature approved the ban after contentious hearings that primarily featured testimony from vocal opponents, with many arguing the gender-affirming care lessened the risk of depression and suicide among transgender youth.

Indiana's Republican-dominated Legislature approved the ban after contentious hearings that primarily featured testimony from vocal opponents, with many arguing the gender-affirming care lessened the risk of depression and suicide among young people diagnosed with "gender dysphoria,″ or distress caused when gender identity doesn't match a person's assigned sex.

Hanlon, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, wrote that he was blocking the law from taking effect because its opponents had demonstrated potential irreparable harm to those undergoing treatment and shown "some likelihood of success" in arguments that it was unconstitutional.

The ACLU had provided "evidence of risks to minors' health and wellbeing from gender dysphoria if those treatments can no longer be provided to minors — prolonging of their dysphoria, and causing additional distress and health risks, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicidality," Hanlon said. "While the State has identified legitimate reasons for regulation in this area, the designated evidence does not demonstrate, at least at this stage, that the extent of its regulation was closely tailored to uphold those interests."

ACLU leaders hailed the ruling as a victory in the fight "to defend the right of all trans people to be their authentic selves, free from discrimination."

"We won't rest until this unconstitutional law is struck down for good," Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indiana's legal director, said in a statement.

At least 20 GOP-led states have now enacted laws restricting or banning such medical treatments for transgender minors after Missouri's governor signed that state's bill into law last week. Lawsuits have been filed in several states against transgender treatment bans. Federal judges have also blocked enforcement of laws in Alabama and Arkansas, and Oklahoma has agreed to not enforce its ban while opponents seek a temporary court order blocking it.

Indiana bill sponsor Republican Rep. Joanna King of Middlebury said as the ban was debated that it would "protect our children from irreversible, harmful, life-altering procedures."

Republican state Attorney General Todd Rokita's office said in a statement it was disappointed in the decision but that "we will continue to fight for the children." The statement said the ruling "recognizes that the State has shown there are good reasons for regulating gender transition procedures for minors."

The office didn't say whether it would attempt to appeal the injunction before July 1. Provisions of the law that were blocked gave trans youth taking medication to transition until Dec. 31 to stop.

A top attorney for the state told Hanlon during a court hearing on Wednesday that risks from gender-affirming treatments during puberty such as future fertility, bone strength, brain development and possible reversibility had not been adequately studied by scientists.

Such factors make it within the Legislature's authority to decide "we don't want our children to be part of this grand experiment," Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher said.

Though guidelines from leading authorities on gender-affirming medical care already say surgery generally should be reserved for adults, with exceptions for older teens who meet certain criteria, the Indiana law calls for an immediate ban gender-affirming surgeries.

The provisions of the law banning gender-affirming surgeries for minors in Indiana will have no immediate impact. Hanlon wrote in his ruling that no medical providers in the state perform those procedures on people younger than 18.

Representatives from Indiana University Health Riley Children's Hospital, the state's sole hospital-based gender health program, told legislators earlier this year that for patients who are minors, doctors do not perform genital surgeries or provide those surgery referrals. IU Health was not involved in the ACLU's lawsuit.

[musicalmonstrosity]

I forgot that mental illness effects your asleep, thanks to my wonderful partner recording concerning events in my sleep i know now I groan in pain and distress when highly stressed/system is stressed/a traumatic trigger happened. That was the scariest shit I’ve ever heard and I have no memory of it. I do know it was triggered by having to return to my abusive family and cult, plus also an event of an older alter sobbing to them in fear only to slowly cry himself to sleep.

So yeah to fellow systems out there, try setting up recordings of your sleep patterns, with audio because it’s another way of telling shit is clearly wrong. Also try having partners record you in dissociative states/episodes (with permission) to send to your therapist as extra evidence with testimony. Any time I’ve doubted myself or have been fakeclaimed, I go back to this and realize “how in the fuck am I gonna fake mental illness in my sleep?”

Btw this condition has a name, it’s catathrenia and there is no known cause and is extremely rare as well. Some evidence suggests psychiatric disorders can cause it, but they’re not completely sure as this disorder is so rare. However sleep disorders are more common in people with PTSD/CPTSD and other trauma related disorders.

It’s not lethal or dangerous it’s just very creepy and distressing to others who hear it and can be a way of telling if a person may be heavily distressed as the audios compared with my normal snores I only seem to make these sounds when in high distress or in a dissociative state when I sleep.

Sources

[thelunastusco]

A lot of this "but the point of DID/OSDD is to hide trauma!" garbage, because it IS garbage, comes from the fact that people keep seeing DID/OSDD as a "trauma disorder" and not a dissociative disorder. As it really is. 

DID/OSDD is a dissociative disorder. Dissociation is where you distance from your own mind/body. Everyone does it at some point. It's a normal function of the brain, especially in response to stress, though it doesn't ONLY happen as a stress/trauma response. 

Disorder is when something becomes distressing and/or dysfunctional. No distress/dysfunction? No disorder. Basically, a dissociative disorder is when distancing  from your mind/body-- often as a stress/trauma response-- takes an "unhealthy" turn. 

What ARE trauma disorders?

Reactive Attachment Dis

Disinhibited Social Engagement  Dis

Posttraumatic Stress  Dis

Acute Stress  Dis Adjustment  Dis

Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related  Dis

Via the DSM 5. Note that DID/OSDD... aren't there, anywhere.

Dissociative disorders are "frequently found in the aftermath of trauma", with "many of the symptoms ... influenced by the proximity to trauma". They "are placed next to, but are not part of, the trauma- and stressor-related disorders". Again, via the DSM 5. 

Saying that the "point" of DID/OSDD is to "hide trauma" is a fundamental misunderstanding of what dissociation is, ignores that amnesia isn't always required (for OSDD), and that even if amnesia is present... it doesn't always hide trauma or sysmates. 

Calling trauma the "point", and calling it a "trauma disorder", centers trauma in a disorder where trauma isn't even a dx criterion. Nowhere in the DSM or ICD does it say that criterion A-- essentially, plurality-- must be formed by trauma. 

Because they don't KNOW if trauma/stress is the only thing that can cause DID/OSDD... because it's not the only thing that can cause dissociation. They just kind of assume, for the MOST part, that yeah DID/OSDD is caused by trauma/stress. It's a fair idea! 

Like if a mind is dissociating to the point that other minds start to form, it makes sense that it's usually something like trauma at the root. But it's not to hide the bad, it's to COPE with it. There's a difference. Amnesia might be part of that, sure. 

But again, not all with DID/OSDD have amnesia, or amnesia surrounding the trauma they may have experienced. (We remember ours.) Some may have a "trauma holder", but that's a specific role that not all with DID/OSDD have. Not all need it. 

So then, what is the "point".

 Kinda simple. There isn't one, singular "point", because DID/OSDD-- and plurality in general-- isn't a movie with the same beginning, middle, and end every time. It's like asking the "point" of autism, OCD, or phobias.

While trauma work is sometimes involved in DID/OSDD treatment, decent professionals focus on cooperation, communication, and reducing distress/dysfunction. Dissociation doesn't, inherently, hide trauma. It helps cope with it. Sometimes amnesia sets in after. 

Dissociation, plurality, disorder, amnesia, and trauma are all different things. When it happens all at once, that's usually DID! But all of those things can exist separately, or combine in other ways. Trauma doesn't need to be, and isn't always, the "point".

And once again... DID/OSDD aren't the only kinds of plurality. If ALL plurality was disordered, it wouldn't exist as it's own lil' dx criteria. So no, plurality isn't a "trauma disorder". Neither's DID/OSDD. Stop it.

[theyareweird]

Plushie Dreadfuls: Mental Health Plushies

ADHD Rabbit

For those with ADHD, when your thoughts get going, they get going fast. It can be hard to maintain a straight line with much going on. Whether you're a hyperactive, inattentive, or combined type; your thoughts can carry you away on a wave. It can be hard to stick to one thing, but we like to think of it as an ocean of equally interesting things casting a wave over the mind, rather than simply being distracted.

Anxiety Rabbit & Worry Bunnies

Do you have anxieties? You're not alone. Everyone has anxieties. Some people hide them better than others. What if you could hide your anxieties a little better? Anxiety Rabbit can help!Whisper your troubles to the little white Worry Bunnies and then zip them away inside the Anxiety Rabbit! As time passes towards the next Full Moon (see the rabbit?), your worries will gradually fade away.

Don't toy with the Worry Bunnies after midnight (wait until sunrise the next day)

Let your Anxiety Rabbit "rest" from constant "worry face" from time to time.

Use the "thank you" pose to give thanks for the little positive things.

Trichotillomania Rabbit

Trichotillomania, also known as "Hair pulling disorder" is a disorder which involves an irresistible urge to pull out one's own hair, eyebrows, etc. People with trich may go to great lengths to cover up the hair pulling. This includes: wigs, hats and other head coverings. They also suffer pain or discomfort from the bald spots which result from this condition.

Depression Rabbit

The Mayo Clinic describes Depression as... 'a mood disorder which causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called "major depressive disorder" or "clinical depression". It affects how you feel, think and behave. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. More than a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.'

PTSD Rabbit & Tiny Trauma Bunnie

Trauma leading to PTSD is often the result of the destruction of our reality. A confrontation with Chaos results in our trust and understanding of the laws of nature becoming unmoored from our perceptions. The earth falls from beneath our feet. We're left floating in a void of the unknown. Who can we trust? How do we know what's real? Who are we? How do we regain our ability to "be" again? Once known as "Shell Shock", WebMD defines Posttraumatic stress disorder as a "serious condition which can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event where there was serious physical harm or threat. PTSD is a lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals which cause intense fear, helplessness or horror. Examples include: sexual or physical assault, the unexpected death of a loved one, an accident, war, or natural disaster. Families of victims can develop PTSD, as can emergency personnel and rescue workers".

Migraine Rabbit & Brain Octopus

Migraines suck. Not only do they hurt like hell but they take you away from the normal business of life. And they rob you of time you want to be spending with your loved ones. Migraine Rabbit features a broken heart to indicate the emotional pain caused by all the lost time. It's got a split down the middle of the skull. There are also scars on the arms to indicate the general physical despair caused by migraines. Most important there's a removable Migraine Brain Octopus you can stick atop Migraine Rabbit's head. Inside the Migraine Brain? A little pouch where you can store your headache relief stuff.

Rage Rabbit

Pull the head off the Rage Rabbit to reveal the bandaged and pitiful face underneath. A transformation guaranteed to traumatize children and small dogs. Because what lurks beneath anger is a true emotion we choose not to share with the world. It could be sadness, guilt, hurt or jealousy; but anger is always a mask. What hides under your mask? The next time you experience anger, rip the head off Rage Rabbit and remind yourself what you're really feeling is something hidden deep inside. Find it. Fix it. Then, stick your head back on.

What do you think? Do you like these plushies? Want to see more? Go to:

[hauntedselves]

Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for Daydreaming Disorder (Maladaptive Daydreaming)

A. Persistent and recurrent fantasy activity that is vivid and fanciful, as indicated by the individual exhibiting two (or more) of the following in a 6-month period; at least one of these should be Criterion 1:

While daydreaming, experiences an intense sense of absorption/immersion that includes visual, auditory, or affective properties

Daydreaming is triggered, maintained, or enhanced with exposure to music

Daydreaming is triggered, maintained, or enhanced with exposure to stereotypical movement (e.g., pacing, rocking, hand movements)

Often daydreams when feels distressed or bored

Daydreaming length or intensity intensifies in the absence of others (e.g., daydreams more when alone)

Is annoyed when unable to daydream or when daydreaming is interrupted or curbed

Would rather daydream than engage in daily chores, social, academic, or professional activities

Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop daydreaming

B. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

C. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., dementia) and is not better explained by autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar I disorder, obsessive–compulsive and related disorders, dissociative identity disorder, substance-related and addictive disorders, an organic disorder, or a medical condition.

Note. Current severity defined as follows: Mild - experiences mainly distress, no obvious functional impairment; moderate - one area of functioning is affected (e.g., work); severe - more than area of functioning is affected (e.g., work, school or social life) (p. 180).

-

MD is associated with social anxiety and addiction (particularly internet addiction) (p. 177), as well as dissociation, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, and inattention / attention deficit (p. 181).

People who seek treatment for MD are misdiagnosed with a variety of conditions; "...professionals were unfamiliar with their problem and provided various diagnoses, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and dissociative disorder" (p. 178).

"MD is uniquely characterized by a kinesthetic component, a need for evocative music, and an addictive yearning to compulsively engage in this mental behavior" (p. 184).

-

From Somer et al., 'Maladaptive Daydreaming: Proposed Diagnostic Criteria and Their Assessment With a Structured Clinical Interview', Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice (2017), Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 176-189. DOI: 10.1037/cns0000.

Another interesting & related article is Somer et al., 'Representations of Maladaptive Daydreaming and the Self: A Qualitative Analysis of Drawings', The Arts in Psychotherapy (2019), Vol. 63, pp. 102-110. DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2018.12.004.

[hellishgayliath]

I’d like to know more about Vera!! Wat’s an average day like for her? Does she have a favorite drink order? Wat kind of a therapist is she, like wat’s her approach?

Ahhh thank you for asking bout my girl!! It's about time I gave her more attention :D

Wakes up, gives some love and attention to her pet toad Echo. Her go to drink to start the day off is either the sweetest coffee concoction a barista can manage or just straight up expresso or black coffee. All while drinking with a straight face, there is no in between it's gotta be a strong drink.

I'd imagine she takes up residence in the hotel or one of the establishments that Big Momma runs, while her office is located somewhere else. She's not happy about the arrangement but it's the only place that suits her needs.

She is a therapist that helps yokai (and mutant kind) who've experience ptsd and works through it together with them. I'm not experienced with therapy and dealing with ptsd in that regard so I'm not sure on what's the best approach to her profession if I were to draw more of her. But I do like how this site describes what she would do https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-are-treatments-for-posttraumatic-stress-disorder to helping the turtle fam after dealing with the invasion. After sessions she lets her clients know that she's proud of them, whether or not progress was made, but because they still chose to see her, so she's happy she can bring some sense of purpose to her and her client's life c:

After work she hits up the night markets and bars around the hidden city, picking out stuff for her toad might like, getting some light drinking in, maybe stopping at Hueso's, she enjoys dancing (her fav being ballroom dancing specifically tango) so that's also a good past time for her to unwind.

[sysmedsaresexist]

It's debunk time!

Hmmmmmmmm

Let's see

Dissociative Identity Disorder (2018)

Dissociative identity disorder is increasingly understood as a complex and chronic posttraumatic psychopathology closely related to severe, particularly early, child abuse.

Speaking of Psychology: What is dissociative identity disorder? With Bethany Brand, PhD (2022)

It doesn't mean that then trauma is not traumatic, because of course it still is, but over time, if that happens again and again and again, the child—because DID is a developmentally based trauma disorder, it starts in very early childhood.

Dissociative Identity Disorder: Etiology, Media, and Stigma (2020) PDF

With all the evidence, one can conclude that the posttraumatic model of Dissociative Identity Disorder is the one that accurately describes the etiology of this complex disorder.

Disorganized Attachment and the Orbitofrontal Cortex as the Basis for the Development of Dissociative Identity Disorder

One particularly promising theory posits that, in addition to traumagenic origins, infant disorganized attachment may be a significant contributor to the development of DID. Neuroimaging studies have identified areas of the brain, the orbitofrontal cortex in particular, that function differently in DID patients, thus providing a neurobiological basis for the disorder. By examining the effects of trauma on neurodevelopment, some of the differences between the normal and the DID brain can be accounted for. Attachment theory allows the cause of DID to be traced even further back to neurodevelopment that occurs during infancy. The combination of disorganized attachment with later childhood trauma provides a strong basis for the development of DID.

Dissociative Disorders in the DSM 5 (2011)

Dispelling Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder Treatment: An Empirically Based Approach (2014) PDF

The entire goddamn paper--- just read it

Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: a biopsychosocial perspective (2014) PDF

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a chronic post-traumatic disorder where developmentally stressful events in childhood, including abuse, emotional neglect, disturbed attachment, and boundary violations are central and typical etiological factors.

Trauma-Related Dissociation and the Dissociative Disorders (2022)

Again, just the entire paper

Childhood trauma in patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder: A systematic review of data from 1990 to 2022 (2023)

Overall, those with DID and dissociative disorders reported more emotional and physical neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse than those with PTSD, schizophrenic disorders, panic disorders, and complex partial epilepsy or control. Only two studies stressed early reported age as a factor in trauma exposition among the DID population. Reinders et al. (2018) established reported childhood traumas between 0 and 6 years, whereas Scroppo et al. (1998) estimated averages of 3 years for physical abuse and sexual abuse.

The ISSTD (obviously)

Sleep, trauma, fantasy and cognition in dissociative identity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and healthy controls: a replication and extension study (2020)

The current study shows that traumatization is the most important predictor of dissociation in individuals with DID and we assume that sleep disturbances are likely to be related to nightmares due to traumatic childhood experiences.

A Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders and Dissociative Identity Disorder from the perspective of Social Emotions (2022)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder are conditions caused by exposure to one or more stressful events of extraordinary magnitude and/or repeated over many years. The traumatic experience(s) may have different outcomes in different persons: some people fully recover within a short time, while others go on to develop one of these three disorders, whose interdependencies are still poorly understood.

[nyheadache]

PTSD biomarkers

Researchers have identified four blood biomarkers that show promise in predicting, diagnosing, and monitoring treatment response for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These biomarkers could lead to more accurate methods of screening for PTSD, allowing for early intervention and prevention strategies. Additionally, they could help monitor treatment progress, identify different subtypes of…