Re:non-traumatic splits and EMDR

The above comments concerned EXTERNAL tactics in addition to INTERNAL mechanisms in the creation, maintenance, and integration of dissociative states. Things like modeling, reinforcement/punishment, shaping, substances, and scripting. It may not apply to an individual’s situation.

Regarding “pre-verbal core splits,” there is some literature about pre-verbal “programming.” Research supports the concept that pre-verbal states conditioning is possible.

However, your view that the splitting seems “instinctual and basic” is important, in that there are natural “opponent processes” in our physiological and emotional constitution regarding “love/rage/value/valueless” types of behaviors.

The natural specialization of responses has separation of functions into polarities, that is not splitting, e.g., parasympathetic/sympathetic nervous systems, activity/rest, sleep/awake, fight/flight, etc. – There is no need for therapy for healthy adaptive abilities.

Some reports about “pre-verbal” dissociative experiences have been connected to a variety of circumstances: Undiagnosed medical conditions, medication side effects, covert drugs (date-rape types), allergic reaction to toxins, etc. Obviously, some conditions required thorough medical exams to be discovered. As well some people have reported elicitation of amnestic periods such as early abandonment (marasmus), febrile responses, drugs, electroshock, head injuries, etc.

Relationships with trusted licensed professionals that allow time to deal with issues helps people manage concerns that can insidiously become consuming of all our attention. People need a good mixture of “normal” activities (socializing, recreation, exercise, sight seeing, etc.) while dealing with issues. Though most people are well meaning, our various perspectives may become suggestions and may not always help others keep their focus, boundaries, and optimal pace.

Hopefully, this is clarifying, supportive, and doesn’t add to the information overload most of us are subjected to these days.

Replies:

"core" selves, by Anonymous, 12/26/02 Re: in relation to EMDR...., by Sandra Paulsen Inobe, PhD, 12/26/02 Re: in relation to EMDR...., by Anonymous, 12/27/02 ...in relation to EMDR...., by Diane, 12/27/02

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