I recently found out that I have what is called complex post traumatic stress disorder brought on by years of bullying and feeling socially isolated. During one such bullying incident over the summer, I felt almost completely dissossociated from my body and lost all sense of self worth/esteem. It got to the point where I would have wild mood swings throughout the day and felt like I was walking through sludge.

Has anyone experienced this and, if so, anyone have ideas for treatment? I recently found an EMDR clinic in my town, but will this work? Will it ever go completely away?

I hope so..hugs and good luck..

xx

I know that EMDR and DBT should help a lot, and find trust with a therapist who has knowledge of Complex PTSD, especially if you get into a DBT group, because what is necessary for someone with Borderline Personality Disorder despite the similarities to Complex PTSD, the needs are a lot different in a therapeutic relationship.

You are describing dissociative symptoms, yup.


re: Complex PTSD

You may also want to look up the term DES-NOS (disorder of extreme stress - not otherwise specified).

Here is a link...

http://www.traumacenter.org/products/pdf_files/DESNOS.pdf

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NB Dissociation is a spectrum phenomenon, and occurs to some degree in almost everyone at some time of our lives, during (a) extreme stress (think of getting the news of someone's death) or (b) during distraction ('highway hypnosis' while driving for long periods and staring at the highway's paint lines).

Depersonalization:
The sensation of being disconnected physically from one's body ['depersonalization'] is part of a dissociative episode. e.g. a person can feel that their head is d/c'd from their body or limbs, etc. A person can feel that they are watching the trauma happen to someone else, also. Some people talk of looking down on an incident, etc.

Derealization:
There can also be the feeling that things in a situation are 'unreal' ('derealization') -- most people have had this happen at some time during a crisis or emergency (like, "This can't be happening"). Some report it like 'watching a movie' and they are not there.


If it comes and goes during a particularly stressful incident, this is somewhat normal. It is how our brain protects us from intolerable stress.

If it is coming with _regularity_ , and _when you are 'safe'_, then this is becoming a problem.

Those who are chronically Dissociative can be at risk of further trauma b/c they are often (a) dissociated to [not 'aware' of] their external environment ('warning signs') and (b) they are often numb or unaware [dissociated] to their internal emotional or sensory environment ('gut feelings') that people need to use to protect themselves.

I have just started doing EMDR, and it does work for me. From what I understand it can have a lot to do with the practitioner.