Thread by @jefffinethomas

Dissociation is of special importance in the 2nd psychological vital sign of self and object constancy. Dissociation serves to protect one’s self from the pain (physical and/or emotional) one is experiencing now. 1/6

2/6 To do that, a person unconsciously and automatically shifts their attention somewhere else. We’ve all driven from A to B, arrived at our destination, and wondered why we can’t remember the path we took. Our thoughts were somewhere else.

3/6 When this happens as a response to severe pain that occurs repeatedly, it sometimes becomes difficult to be aware of or control the shift in state of mind. In severe instances, the states of mind can become segregated so they don’t seem to drift from one to another.

4/6 When this occurs, sometimes people feel fragmented or not whole. Imagine how frightening it might be to not have the ability to shift your state of mind away from something that feels uncomfortable or even unbearable.

5/6 When this sort of severe dissociation occurs, it is very difficult to feel “together” or to imagine that others are “together.”

6/6 Being able to understand the experience of the people we are trying to help have with respect to feeling “put together” is important. #psychoanalysis #psychotherapy #psychology #psychstudent #psychtwitter #therapisttwitter #TherapistsConnect