Inside Karen’s Crowded Mind

Good Point! The brain, just like the deep blue sea, is still an unfinished-not totally chartered area, and nothing is concrete, except that (treatments) that are proven to be harmful with concrete evidence, the cost factor, suicides, destruction of families, should be outlawed.
No one will ever convince me that the treatment for DID doesn't entail the treatment of RMT (Let's go back in time scenerio to find out what happened, (if anything happened) and we'll keep digging till we come up with something.
My daugher really believed there was a separate entity inside her (the little one), because they told her so! This only took a few short months folks before bombs were launched into my home, so to speak! Yet a few months before treatment, we had some wonderful times together despite Jackie's Post Partum Depresson, Anxiety and constant barrating of herself for choosing so many piercings and tattoos. She asked me once, "Mom, if Dagmar goes to school, will you go for parent interviews or else they'll look at me, make a judgment call and not treat my little girl kindly." No wonder my poor son cautioned us about his fear for little Dagmar, however, who would have thunk? It's all hindsight!
Life goes on.
Claudette

Claudette-

I think this is totally hopeless, but one more try. We too, could hang on to our pain and bitterness- against the men who repeatedly raped us. We could extend that bitterness to include all men, ignoring the fact that there are many good men in the world.

But what would be the point.? Holding on to that bitterness, reinforcing it again and again, only prolongs it. We've found healing comes when one can hold that anger, that pain, in acceptance and love. Holding on to our pain hurts us more than it hurts anyone else.

Forgive us if this sounds insulting, but- we think it wouldn't be a betrayal of your daughter and granddaughter to allow yourself to heal.

We wish you peace and deep love.

-AD21

Alas, Claudette, I thought for a brief time you had left seeking a more gullible audience.

You keep claiming that the "most competent" professionals disagree with the DID diagnosis, yet it's painfully clear by your rants that your only definition for competency is that they agree with you. Despite writing page after page of "response" to the posts of others, you've failed to address even the most fundamental points that have been made. A couple of examples:

1) Following most of the lawsuits and controversy, the APA still included DID in the DSM-IVR in 2000.

2) Most folks still carrying that diagnosis have documented and confirmed abuse histories, and have never undergone recovered-memory or other suggestive therapies. In fact, a handfull of cases I've seen had never received treatment of any kind prior to entering my care, and had never heard of DID or MPD.

I would include more, but let's see if you have any kind of coherent response to these first two. Try to focus, and name-calling, though entertaining for the rest of us, is not necessary and tends to further expose the blinding nature of your passion.

And, as for the worlds most prominent therapists seeking to eliminate DID from standard diagnostic working tools, I note that the definition has broadened in the last several years, with careful introspecting and increasing prudent awareness. Indeed, the progression of study of both DID and PTSD has been quite satisfying for those of us who understand this condition well.

the FMSF is nothing more than a deluded crying post for family members who wish not to accept their own culpability. I continue to note that the FMSF was, perforce, associated with a world reknown therapist who promoted NAMBLA in his writings and speeches. Some screening there, I might note.

Even the FMSF folks admit that they do not know statistically, how many of their members are actually predators vs those that are "presumptively" wrongly accused.

And with each spewing of diatribe, with eafch string of bizarre proclamations of my idioc, you indicate that you are not interested in true discourse, but just interested in finding a bully pulpit. At this point, I confess that I simply have some malign interest in seeing how much you can be provoked. Sadly, it is rather easy.

I think you, Claudette, are the one suffering from brainwashing. You have no ability to consider anything but the most rabid of language. Your quoting Loftus, is laughable, given that her own research is internally contradictory, and her own competency has been trashed in several of the most recent legal cases where she was hired by the defense as a "expert witness". But I understand your sympathy for her, as your language has the same shrill edge of utter hysteria and ferile hostility.

Again, I wonder about your ability to leap, logically, from a discussion of DID to a discussion of lobotomies. They are hardly in the same arena. And, to date, other than calling me an idiot, and calling me a series of other names, you have not effectively dealt with the content of my history, which is that my memories were verified by a third party, they returned before therapy, and - my therapist has hardly used RMT, or some of the other marginal techniques.

What gives me comfort is that if you are a true proponent of the FMSF and folks of that ilk, I can legitimately believe them to be as hostile, hysterical, defensive and obtuse as you are......... I am so sorry that you are locked into a life filled with hostility and negativity.

A propos of the story you tell of the mother who, upon the receipt of one letter, commits suicide, causes me to only question the sanity of the mother, NOT the daughter. Certainly were she innocent, she might have strived for a sane moment of discussion. I, of course, would take her suicide as a confession of guilt, contents of the letter notwithstanding.

As for the FMSF, those folks are just plain wack jobs, devoted to weeping out their innocence to any bystander dumb enough to give them air time. And, in fact, a careful reading of some of the public statements of the organization indicate that they are unsure of how many of their members are innocent and how many are, in fact, guilty. That organization has no screening, no membership criteria other than a desire to suck a bit of money up for advertising and such. The organization has NEVER sponsored objective research, sadly, where their mission might acquire long term legitimac

Part # 2
There was a case in the U.S. (documented) where out of the blue, a young woman got in with some unlicensed quacks and she was brainwashed in such a short frame of time, it was incredible. She was the only child of a widowed mother, who did her very best to raise her beloved daughter. Yes indeed, like MOST good mothers, she gave her blood, sweat, tears and every cent she made to her tiny family. There was a lot of pure love and support for her daughter.
One night the mother came home to a horrible accusing letter, with the most ridiculous accusations, and yes, some of them with this ridiculous devil worship sexual abuse crap. The mother tried to contact her daughter for the next few hours for a confrontation. Given that this daughter had never had ANY memories of such nonsense before, this poor mother was dumbfounded!
By midnight, this poor mother, wrote a long suicide letter, left a message at her daugher's girlfriend's home denying any wrong doing, telling her daughter she would also love her for eternity.
Then this poor mother promptly drove off the closest bridge she came to and killed herself.
These are the kinds of stories we share and we are of great comfort to one another.
Of course a wacko like you would try to paint our organizations as a pedophile ring, just like so many had tried to paint scores of innocent child care givers in the 80' and 90's.
One night the mother came home to a horrible accusing letter, with the most ridiculous accusations, and yes, some of them with this ridiculous devil worship sexual abuse crap. The mother tried to contact her daughter for the next few hours for a confrontation. Given that this daughter had never had ANY memories of such nonsense before, this poor mother was dumbfounded!
By midnight, this poor mother, wrote a long suicide letter, left a message at her daughers??? girlfriend's home denying any wrong doing, telling her daughter she would also love her for eternity.
Then this poor mother promptly drove off the closest bridge she came to and killed herself.
These are the kinds of stories we share and we are of great comfort to one another.
Of course a wacko like you would try to paint our organizations as a pedophile ring, just like so many had tried to paint scores of innocent child care givers in the 80's and 90's as devil worshippers and pedophiles.
Get with the times you idiot! Finally, the MOST competent professionals of the world doubt this DID diagnosis and like Lobotomies, are trying to do away with it!
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Claudette

Part #1
Erlaia: You misquided, misinformed Numbskull! For your information, I too am a member of not only the FMSF of the U.S. but also Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. I respect Dr. McHugh and Elizabeth Loftus to the highest degree and proud to be in the same organization as these world renowned experts along with hundreds of (other) notable professionals far too many to mention.
For your information, I am well aware of that so called "noted" psychologist that you state promotes NAMBLA and you can rest assured when he presented that garbage, he wasn't in our organization for long!
How dare you try and spread this filth about individuals and organizations that you know nothing about, and are recognized as bringing together so many wounded children and parents. Organizations that have so many retractors that have come to our many meetings to support the mostly elderly parents of kidnapped/brainwashed young and older adults that fell into the spell of your damn CULTS!
YOU describe a defined "multiplicity" of the ( 11800's)?? B.C. or A.D. - was it when dinasours walked the earth? Sarcasm aside, I do know what you are referring to and that certainly could have been Psychizonrenia or an array of other mental disorders.
You weren't there and writings or imaginings of less informed professionals of that day, don't match the intellect and science of today.
You have never met the hundreds of grieving parents that are members, the retractors, young people, that have come to their senses and are so supportive and helpful.
Nor have you met the many champion Lawyers, Legislatures, Authors, Doctors, Nurses (from many Mental Health wards). There are widows and widowers that have lost their life's partners to suicide or physical ailments brought on by being falsely accused and those being proven innocent in so many court rooms before their deaths.
Open your tiny mind and don't advertise your stupidity, you look mighty evil and deadly at this moment!

Somehow, an appointment by George Bush hardly commends one, these days, Claudette.... I am surprised that you have not mentioned McHugh's affiliation as a board member with the FMSF, a board he shared with a "noted" psychologist who promotes the NAMBLA , an organization that promote the "natural sexual exchange between consenting boys and adult men". Does McHugh defend that? Somehow, it is not surprising to me that FMSF and NAMBLA would share a constituancy.

And, the creative leap between copycat killing and copycat multiplicity is amazing, and, for those of us who sustain this diagnosis, irrelevant. I note that the concept of multiplicity was defined in the late 11800's, NOT by a rather naieve movie. In truth, those that copycat multiplicity can be smoked out rather swiftly by any moderately competent clinician.

On the news tonight - Student in the Netherlands, kills 5 students and a head mistress. The student was obviously mentally ill and stated in videos and writings of his, that were found that he was greatly admired the "Columbine" killings and was greatly influenced by such occurrances.
My point is that since "Sybil" and the "Three faces of Eve" according to many mental health professionals, there have been a barrage of "COPYCATS" no different than the school shooting incidences.
Listen to what the much respected Dr. Paul McHugh, Psychiatrist, appointed by the President of the U.S. as an adviser in the Mental Health Care sector, who is the strongest skeptic of RMT, (recovered memory therapy) DID, (Disassociated Identity Disorder), and Holding Therapy, all these New Wave therapies that have brought about so much pain and distruction in many countries.
Can we not learn from history?
Claudette

This is by far one of the best articles I've read in my (short) life. Never have I heard of such a case, and considering how fascinating I believe the Human Mind and Psychology are (that is the reason I want to study Psychology in 3 years), I hope NewsWeek could increase the number of Psychology articles.
All I want is to wish Karen the best, and may she live happily till the end of her life.

(Excuse my bad use of the English Language, but I'm not a native speaker)

Lena

I have to admit, this is one of the most amazing articles I've ever read. Never in my (short) life have I heard of this phenomenon, and considering how fascinated I am of Psychology, I strongly believe that this was one of the best articles I've ever read in NewsWeek, and I'd appreciate it if I could see more on such subjects.

[my excuses for the bad use of the english language, I am not a native speaker]

Lena

To love my enemies? The ones that caused death and destruction in my family? That is not in my job description. That's my God's call. In the interim, I refuse to be censored in this democracy and although I sometimes get my french up, I feel it beneficial to try and save the mentally ill from further harm and sometimes that takes a little tough love to get some people's attention.
Claudette

Dear AD21: Loving my enemies, the ones that caused death and destruction in my life, is not in my job description. That's my God's call. I have a right to express myself. although I often get my french up, because I will not be censored in this democracy, especially if there are those that would cause the mentally ill harm. I do believe in this block that some need - Tough Love!
Claudette

Continuing... Newsweek, it seems, doesn't want us to be so verbose!

One of the greatest gifts of the "others" (of AD21) to me was to expand my ability to step out of chronic hostility. To find more satisfying ways to be in the world. Chronic hostility is extremely limiting -it narrows one's vision and closes one's heart. And attack mode usually brings out attack or avoidance mode in other people- one gets into fights, or is isolated, subtly or overtly. It's a strange kind of hell, because while I was in it, it felt natural and necessary. It is only in stepping out of it that I/we see how uncomfortable, tiring, and closed it is, how precarious it feels to be so embattled, how wonderful it is to feel deep peace. For us, moving out of hostility has opened up many more choices, and much more opportunity for deeper connection with other people.

This doesn't mean being stupid, or opening ourselves up for attack- anger and aggression are protective- and sometimes needed, but more often, not. It doesn't mean not stating our views, or not intervening when something seems wrong. It means learning to open our hearts, to come more and more from a place of compassion, even with those we are afraid of, or disagree with. Jesus said "love your enemies"- loving your friends is easy!

One of our most satisfying endeavors as a multiple person is our work on ceasing hostilities between each other. I think in a singleton person, these hostilities are experienced as self-hatred and self depreciation- the painful feelings of being no good, stupid, a screw-up etc. And as repression and rejection of some of one's own feelings and experiences- like sadness, pain, vulnerability, and fear.

Together we (AD21) are finding a beautiful, healing, and empowering sense of inner peace and love. (I hope you know that love goes far beyond sex, though it can include it.) All I can say is "Come on over!" Not to multiplicity, but to compassion and peace. Find a good therapist or spiritual adviser who is wise and has a compassionate heart, take meds if they help, read good books -learn to open your heart. It may be painful and scary, but there is so much to gain!

Hi Claudette-

I suppose we do look ridiculous to some. The way black people looked "ridiculous" when they claimed they could live free, and contribute to the intellectual and physical life of society- at a time when their white "owners" considered them little more than monkeys. Or like women looked "ridiculous" when campaigning for the rights to vote, get an education and own property. A male writer at the time said that a woman writing was like a dog standing on its hind legs. The amazing thing wasn't that it was done well (he didn't think it was), but that it was done at all. Now look at how many wonderful women writers there are, and all the gifts they've given us.

The cure for being so "ridiculous" is not shame, nor is it trying to be something we're not. The cure is in freeing ourselves, inwardly and in the outside world, from such prejudice.

We have a question for you- is anger your primary source of positive emotions- strength, empowerment, safety, righteousness? Does it come automatically, instantly? Are you, in a sense, "addicted" to anger and aggression? Many of us (AD21) understand that aspect of anger -how it mobilizes energy, how it feels so much better, and so much safer, than the discomfort, sadness or terror that underlie it.

A very minor example- we ride our bike a lot, sometimes on heavily trafficked streets. When a driver does something dangerous -pulls a right-hand turn so close we have to jam on our brakes, or passes us so quickly and so closely that we can feel the shock wave -we get angry. We respond automatically, instantly, -cuss under our breath, start thinking of all drivers as idiots -'cause it sure feels better than being terrified! Now a certain amount of mistrust of drivers is essential when you're riding a bike in traffic -or driving. It pays to make sure they're stopping for the red light before you cross, because sometimes they don't! But we'd developed a chronic hostility toward drivers, and chronic hostility is a kind of hell. We feel much more at ease on the road when, while maintaining the necessary caution, we can also see the kindnesses of drivers, the many times they wave us on, smile at us, or slow down and let us pass.

So here's another question for you- have you developed chronic hostility toward the subject of DID- or in other places in your life? From reading your posts, I'd guess yes -you seem very easily triggered to anger.

Continued