Dissociation

Liz:

Liz asked if there was a dissociation Personality Cluster. Yes.

DISSOCIATION: This cluster of beliefs distances us from our emotions, feelings, and physical senations. Through the mechanism of dissociation we are out of touch with our biological messages, intuition, and felt sense of self. Generally this splitting off from our emotions comes when our awareness shifts to our thought processes. The dissociation cluster of beliefs halts our ability to emote, feel, and experience compassion and empathy.

The common beliefs of the dissociation cluster are:

*I can't feel my feelings.

*My feelings seem like thoughts.

*When I try to feel numb or empty.

*My feelings and sensations appear distant.

*Sometimes my head's in a cloud.

*I think I'm in the present.

*One must control their feelings.

*I observe myself creating feelings.

*I must not show emotions or feelings.

*I avoid thinking about my emotions.

*I talk or psychologize about my feelings.

*One should avoid irrationality or face being overwhelmed.

*The possibility of losing control makes me feel distant.

*If others get too close, I feel numb.

*Emotional people can swallow one up.

*I sense I am someone else.

*Life seems unreal.

*I wonder if I'm two different people.

*My body doesn't seem like mine.

*I'm a thoughtform in a body.

*I forgot my childhood--it seems unreal if I even discuss it.

*Sometimes I believe I'm just another number.

*I can't feel when others ask me what I'm feeling.

*I'm not sure what love or happyness are.

*Most times I'm thinking about the future.

The above beliefs can be targets for clearing or integration. This work is often best done with our palm on our heart region which assists us in returning to feeling. Folks who are extremely numb or dissociated would better do this work with a trained trauma specialist. Stronger dissociation often comes from severe trauma.

Take care, Steve

Dissociation Cluster

Steve:

That is quite a cluster. I notice that you employ the expression: "One" in several clusters. "One" is a dissociated viewpoint. A number of academics and intellectuals I've known speak from the "one" position.

Dissociated clients more often than not are slower to grow in their therapy because they have difficulty in obtaining their feelings. Feelings are the doorway into emotional change. I would say the number one obstacle to therapy is dissociation. Highly intellectual persons can have bright sounding insights into the whys and howcomes of their lives, yet they will be very hardpressed to make changes. They have intellectual insights--not an emotional grasp.

Eugene Gendlin, who brought "focusing" to life, noticed that people who made headway with therapy were those who could obtain the felt sense. I agree with him. Being able to feel is very important if you desire growth.

One of the many qualities I like about this forum is that many posters here recognize the importance of being able to feel. Not only for feelings therapeutic value, but feeling is the essence of being alive.

Liz