This is our (Anns/oldMW) Introduction
July 11, 2017 @ 8:04AM
Why are we intensely interested in “Self-regulation and Dissociation (Multiplicity)?”
Our most robust thought, so far, is that we must research/study this topic because we long for a conscious awareness/understanding of “how to survive life.” We aspire to learn/teach and believe that we will “go on.”
We don’t think this problem of “going on” is uncommon with Multiples or others.
Anns, owners of Multiplework (MW), are Multiple (we dissociate), co-morbidly with having severe depression (in partial-remission), and we have PTSD.
In our out-loud voice, as we are, we often have troubles going on. Day to day, hour to hour, week to week, and task to task, we establish our goals, but goals don’t happen. Often, even the simplest goals, like making the bed, are impossible for us to continue or maintain, regardless of how many of us there are. We get stuck, and then, goal by goal, we feel like giving up. Sometimes, this is to the dangerous wondering or acting out, “Wouldn’t it be better if we were dead?”
General going-on is a common problem.
We hypothesize that going on (and prospering) is a deep-seated goal/aim/survival need for each of us, especially those with attachment issues. Attachment and other similar problems are in the self-regulation domain.
Survival should be the goal for all the multiple selves, but the selves are at dramatically different stages due to their various needs and abilities. Each self must learn to advance or progress their personal goals, so all selves must climb past any obstacle or natural step, whether conscious or unconscious, of what they need to do next.
We need each other as multiple selves to get through this process of living together and to the very best ending.
Most Multiples (90%—95%) are also sexual abuse survivors at an early age, usually before the age of five. Self-regulation is learned at an early age (about two) through—co-scaffolding with a disciplined parent(s) or caregiver(s).
But, very often, early age is a “turbulent time” for Multiples.
We then ask,
Do most Multiples learn at an early age how to self-regulate?
And, even if they do, do they learn to the same degree?
Can an aware, knowledgeable self teach herself (or others) to self-regulate later—if they missed these developmental steps?”
Do people (psychiatrists, therapists, etc.) who assist Multiples to thrive as co-scaffolding agents at an adult age successfully work as exemplary caregivers?
These are our beginning thoughts.
Now, we learn about self-regulation and dissociation (Multiplicity). Welcome to our quest - let’s get started!
Our best,
Anns