dissociation

Most of the time I can't be present no matter how hard I try: not at the beach, not at a concert I've been eagerly anticipating, not with friends or family. It's frustrating at best. Image: Unsplash, Francisco Moreno

It's Hard To 'Live In The Moment' When You Dissociate

Supposedly, the happiest people are living in the moment, seizing the day, and generally living like it's their last day on earth. It all sounds inspired, wonderful, and profound. And simple. Who wouldn't be on board? Me, that's who. And somehow I suspect I'm not alone.

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Recovery from trauma is a journey. Image: Rocksana Rocksana/Unsplash.

Trauma Broke Me Into Parts, But I Found Wholeness Through IFS Therapy

Individual “parts” of my system [...] have become dysfunctional as a result of trauma. Some of these parts are stuck as young children or teenagers, while others carry individual emotions like worry or anger. They’re all still parts of my whole — not full-fledged personalities as in dissociative identity disorder — but they are separate enough to take on a life of their own to protect me from harm.

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It has taken me most of my adult life to come to terms with my childhood, because I chose avoidance over examination. Image: Thinkstock.

Borderline Personality Disorder Fueled My Mom's Abuse. Here's How I Started To Heal From It.

My mother saw in my brother a carbon copy of herself; every side-eye and negative comment was an echo of offensive remarks made about her own behavior as a child. Whenever my brother got into trouble for his disregard for authority or bad attitude, my mother saw it as a victory: My brother wasn’t just sticking up for himself, he was sticking up for my mother.

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Credit: ThinkStock

I Tried To Write About Violence Against Women—But Couldn't Because Of Violence Against Women

Gender-based violence takes a personal toll—and then, by extension, an economic one.

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