Identifying ways to reduce load
Many people try to respond to overwhelm by pushing themselves harder. But when the nervous system is overloaded, increasing pressure can sometimes deepen shutdown, dissociation, exhaustion, or loss of functioning.…
Why Your System Can Suddenly “Collapse” or Lose Functioning
Many dissociative systems experience periods where functioning suddenly becomes much harder. A system that was managing daily life relatively well may abruptly struggle with work, relationships, memory, emotional regulation, internal…
Can Decompensation Happen Even If I’ve Been Stable for Years?
Yes, you can experience decompensation even after years of stability. This is because decompensation is a reaction to severe stress. Major life changes, medical issues, sleep disruption, trauma anniversaries, relational…
Why Does My Stability Suddenly Drop Near a Trauma Anniversary?
Even if you are not consciously aware that a trauma anniversary is approaching, your nervous system may be. This can activate the nervous system, increasing anxiety, dissociation, hypervigilance, nightmares, shutdown,…
How Do I Get Through a Trauma Anniversary Reaction?
When you are approaching or in the middle of a trauma anniversary, it can be helpful to simplify where possible. That is, reduce the demands you and your system need…
How Can I Tell If I’m Decompensating Around a Trauma Anniversary?
If you notice a decline in how well you are functioning every year at around the same time, you may be experiencing a trauma anniversary. Decompensation often happens when the…
Contents of When a Dissociative System “Collapses”
When a Dissociative System “Collapses”: Understanding Decompensation Why functioning can suddenly drop or “collapse” in a dissociative system and what that means. Core Concepts: Why Your System Can Suddenly “Collapse”…
Why Does Decompensation Sometimes Follow Good Progress?
It may seem like making progress should make decompensation less likely, but that is not always the case. Progress can increase capacity, but it can also lower avoidance around traumatic…
Can Big Life Changes Trigger Decompensation?
Yes. Even positive changes can increase stress load. Moves, new jobs, relationship shifts, medical events, parenting changes, or loss of routine can all reduce predictability. Dissociative systems often rely heavily…
Why Did My Coping Skills Suddenly Stop Working?
As stress increases, the nervous system becomes more focused on survival defenses. The more active these defenses are, the more mental bandwidth they consume. This leaves less capacity for the…