Everyday Opportunities to Offer Your System Choices
Offering choices is a simple way to help your system feel included in everyday life. Many survivors of complex childhood trauma were not given opportunities to practice making choices. You…
Anxiety and Dissociation A Quick Comparison
Although anxiety and dissociation can occur together, they often feel different. This chart highlights some common differences. AnxietyDissociation Increases awarenessDecreases awarenessActivationDisconnectionUrgencyDistanceFocused on DangerPulled away from the present experienceRacing thoughtsMental fogRapid…
Recognizing Minimization of Trauma
Many trauma survivors minimize what happened to them. They may insist that it "wasn't that bad," that they should be over it by now, or that other people had it…
Workplace Challenges and Supports Explorer
People with DID, OSDD, and other trauma-related conditions may experience challenges at work that are not immediately obvious to themselves or others. This tool is designed to help you identify…
Common Misunderstandings About Dissociation
Dissociation is widely misunderstood. Many people spend years questioning or dismissing their own experiences because they have inaccurate ideas about what dissociation "should" look like. The statements below describe common…
Could This Be Dissociation?
Many experiences associated with dissociation are not unique to dissociation. Difficulties with memory, concentration, emotional connection, awareness, and attention can occur for many reasons. This tool is not designed to…
Recognizing and Understanding Minimization of Trauma
Many trauma survivors minimize what happened to them. They may insist that it "wasn't that bad," that they should be over it by now, or that other people had it…
Experiences That Can Contribute to Complex Trauma
Complex trauma often develops through repeated experiences over time. The examples below are not exhaustive, and not every experience will be traumatic for every person. They are intended to help…
Why Trauma Survivors Minimize What Happened
Many trauma survivors minimize what happened to them. They may insist that it "wasn't that bad," that they should be over it by now, or that other people had it…
Common Ways Trauma Responses Can Appear in Daily Life
People often assume trauma responses only look one way. In reality, the same behavior can serve different protective purposes in different situations. The examples below illustrate common ways trauma responses…