Realization

From time to time my brain clicks together and I get a big ah ha moment. It happened today while I was waiting for of all things a haircut. Years ago I had a client with multiple personalities freak out and run out into an adjacent neighborhood. What made me think of this person today was an unknown - probably because rushing after him still impacts me today. I searched street after street and found him hiding behind a car. On one hand it was very humorous, as if he was playing in an adult hide and seek game. On the other hand he looked petrified as if he was in terror for his life!

I rubbed my hair, as if saying goodbye to a familiar friend. Why on Earth would he do this? And then it hit me - this was his defense mechanism. When threatened our mind goes on the blink if our resources don't match the level of stress. This client was detained from doing his ritual of spending money - a source of soothing himself was gone and he reacted as a child would, running away and hiding.

When I walked up to him - a client I had a three month relationship with, he didn't recognize me. My client wasn't even there!!! This is mental illness at it's worst. Where was my client? Where was the person that told me the unmentionables done to them, told me I was the only one who ever cared, and wanted to face the demons that tormented on a daily basis their existence and wipe them out of their life forever!! So I reminded them of this (as delineated in my Doctor Dissertation). I reminded the client of our relationship, their life, how wonderful they were, and slowly the person looked up to me and cried. What can you do with somebody who's mind shuts down when under stress. It is as if their mind needs to be rebuilt and slowly given natural stressors in slow, manageable doses. Will their mind ever heal? This client went pretty far in their recovery process and was actually able to not only have a relationship for the first time, but move in with the person as well - talk about stress.

The realization today was in the disociative phenomenon in which the mind blanks out and another aspect within simply takes over. This particular client was aware of nine distinct personalities, which we dealt with extensively.

Therefore, for clinicians, it is extremely important to go slowly with clients, and monitor their reactions to the material that is surfacing for them. If it is too demanding - back off. Help them regain their center and acknowledge them for the ability to do so. It is not for us to heal large chunks of their ailment at one time. Therapy is a process that needs to progress at the client's pace.

Who thought waiting for a haircut could help me deepen my understanding of the defense mechanisms of the brain?

Good mental health to you and yours.