Recovery in DID for Dummies!
[AKA THIS GUY ↑ ON R/SYSTEMSCRINGE]
The first step you need to do in recovery is integration. You see everything you experience in being a system is for a reason and the separation of parts is caused by dissociation barriers! Integration is the process of lowering those dissociation barriers which will decrease overall dissociation and amnesia and eventually will lead to recovery!
It's important to note that your brain does things for a reason, and sometimes memories are hidden through the separation of parts for a reason. Make sure you practice recovery in a safe place and with a licensed professional. It's always okay to take a break especially if you can't handle the traumatic memories at the moment 🩷
So, integration - how exactly do you go about it? Think of all your parts being in one room, they're all super awkward and no one is talking to each other. Integration is the process of helping things along so that they can start all talking to each other and feel comfortable sharing the same space with each other.
The most important reminders to achieve integration is to respect and to listen. Respect your parts and their wishes, do they want their own name? What do they feel comfortable doing? Then once you've established trust you can start working on more pressing issues. You can start figuring out their role in the system (ie why they exist and why they exist the way they do) and with learning more about them you can learn more about your overall self. A stronger bond between parts will decrease communication barriers and help overall system responsibility!
And then we talk about MAPPING!!! Mapping is the process of mapping out your system (this is what the syscringe idiot is referring to!) whether that be a timeline of when they formed, a guide to subsystems, a guide to roles or just a visual representation of all your parts!
Here's a few examples of maps we have personally made that helps explain the different types you can make :)
For systems like me, who are unable to visualize and don't have a headspace maps can be really really helpful (though it can be helpful for everyone) It can help you understand how your system works or things you feel but you couldn't properly put into words.
And how do you map? Simple! Grab a sketchbook or a piece of paper, a whole bunch of colored pens/textas and just let your parts take control!! Don't worry about order or perfection just let them feel heard. So much of recovery is grounded in making your parts feel heard.
I wish I could give advice about how to go once you've reached integration but unfortunately I'm not personally there on my journey yet. Me and my parts have a very strong familial bond and we care about each other deeply. We all recognize we are all parts of one whole individual and we do our best to make sure we can thrive the best way we can.
So happy healing! Remember that there's no rules to your own personal healing journey! Do what works for you and I wish you all the best 🌈
[IMAGE ID: ponyville is a (pro) endo free zone break dni and get blocked loser! END ID]
