"First Person Plural"
SStuart416
dollars, so we just plunked down in those comfy chairs they provide and read
the whole thing right there. It was a good tale. Can't say for sure whether or
not he's DID - but then that battle rages on and on for all of us, so I don't
even want to go there.
The most unbelievable things in the book I found was:
The first therapist he went to was well versed in DID and knew "just" what to
do.
The only three hospital experiences he had were in DID units.
He was successful in two out of three hospitalizations in doing serious work.
He only had one bad experience with a therapist - and his system was together
enough to leave half-way through it with protector parts out with the petal to
the metal.
He had a good relationship with a very supportive spouse who stuck with him
through out. ( no offense to the Jeff's in the group)
Upon moving to a new city he and his wife each find support groups ( free of
charge) within minutes of their home.
All the neighbors and family friends are supportive and/or understanding.
His FOO confirms the abuse.
What are the chance of all that in real life?
ACESTAR
Wyldgryph
SStuart416 <sstua...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990527004200...@ng-fn1.aol.com...
> I went to the book store today at lunch and looked for the book - was 26
> dollars, so we just plunked down in those comfy chairs they provide and
read
> the whole thing right there. It was a good tale. Can't say for sure
whether or
> not he's DID - but then that battle rages on and on for all of us, so I
don't
> even want to go there.
>
> The most unbelievable things in the book I found was:
>
> The first therapist he went to was well versed in DID and knew "just" what
to
> do.
Our first therp.. that we talked to as "us" knew what was going on.. and had
a pretty fair understanding of things. If egg donor(body's mother) hadn't
flipped out when she was told who knows.. we might have been in alot better
position.
>
> The only three hospital experiences he had were in DID units.
>
> He was successful in two out of three hospitalizations in doing serious
work.
>
I've been able to accomplish alot in one of the two hospitilizations I've
had. Pretty strange for where it was.. but the doc was great. He helped us
work out contracts and deal with alot of stuff that was coming up then.
> He only had one bad experience with a therapist - and his system was
together
> enough to leave half-way through it with protector parts out with the
petal to
> the metal.
>
> He had a good relationship with a very supportive spouse who stuck with
him
> through out. ( no offense to the Jeff's in the group)
Our spouse has been with us for over 5 years.. through hospitilizations,
m*mories, splitting, self-harm .. and lots of other things.
>
> Upon moving to a new city he and his wife each find support groups ( free
of
> charge) within minutes of their home.
>
> All the neighbors and family friends are supportive and/or understanding.
Our "Family by choice" has been very supportive.. as have several
relatives.. may of whom thought something was going on...
>
> His FOO confirms the abuse.
>
> What are the chance of all that in real life?
>
> ACESTAR
As you can see some of it is possible. We're probably very fortunate.. but
its possible for these things to occur.
-Gryphons
SStuart416
Yes, you are very fortunate, however I believe if you were able to take an
accurate poll of just the folks who manage to find their way to ASD, you would
find that this is a very rare occurance. I believe that people average about
6-10 years of misdiagnosis before being correctly diagnosed, and finally ( if
ever) finding someone who is willing to invest in their recovery.
Most people for whatever reason, being-- mostly financial, usually cannot get
into specialized DID units. My particular(one of the big ones) insurance will
not cover out of state inpatient therapy even if I pay the airfare. Other
people usually end up in the general psych unit, misdiagnosed, subject to more
trauma both from staff and other patients.
Often people are more often traumatized by psych hospitalizations, or at least
get therapy from peope ithout a clue.
When one is subject ot substandard inpatient therapy, they are usually
disempowered bu the system, and run the risk of being treated in a way that is
counter-productive. This is often the job of the primary therapist to help
overcome the effects of inpatient.
Many on public assistance for whatever the reason, are given ther royal
run-around with regards to finding an inpatient therapy progeam
ACESTAR
ziljian
(SStuart416) writes:
>
>
>What are the chance of all that in real life?
(sorry meant to post this to everybody acestar)
Better if you live where he did.
If it makes you feel better, the surgeon that operated onhim 212 times
was an IDIOT!
ziljian
>
>ACESTAR
WNBAgirls
Actually I had a few of those miracles that he had. The first therapist I saw
was/is an expert in the field of DID, and I found her just by chance. I had an
appointment with another therp and that one cancelled so I was told to see this
other therp who was available at the same time. And in that first session, she
made sense out of my whole life!
And my first hospitalization was in a unit not specifically for DID, but the
head dr of the unit specialized in it, and had trained all her staff about how
to treat/deal with DID.
After my hosp., I went to a crisis shelter and there was a woman there who was
incredible, who I knew could help me so much, but she wasn't working on my
"case", and I prayed that I would somehow get to work with her, and a few
months later, I was living in a personal care home, and they had to hire
someone new to work with me, and that day, I opened the door to my room, and
there was that same woman!! I worked with her 40hrs/week for over a year, and
I was right, she was one of the few people who actually helped me!!
Maybe all those little "miracles" are why I don't show as many symptoms now.
Maybe his book isn't that unbelievable. Sometimes what we really need, is
right there for us when we need it. Symptomless
je...@nospamop.net
>The most unbelievable things in the book I found was:
>
>The first therapist he went to was well versed in DID and knew "just" what to
>do.
Wow, it's like magic or something.
>The only three hospital experiences he had were in DID units.
And I am the guy in Rome who wears the white hat and stands on
balconies, waving to people.
>He was successful in two out of three hospitalizations in doing serious work.
Apparently they gave him some pretty wild medicines while he was
there.
>He only had one bad experience with a therapist - and his system was together
>enough to leave half-way through it with protector parts out with the petal to
>the metal.
Gee, whatever would you suspect about this? :)
>He had a good relationship with a very supportive spouse who stuck with him
>through out. ( no offense to the Jeff's in the group)
I thank you.
But we're out there.
>Upon moving to a new city he and his wife each find support groups ( free of
>charge) within minutes of their home.
I've been trying to get one together for a while, with little success.
However.... my wife's friend is multiple and they attend the same day
program and see the same therp. There is another multiple a few
blocks away, and one more about 5-10 minutes away. There are one or
two others she met during her last `visit'.
These numbers frighten me. Ross says that up to 20%(?) of people `in
the system' are undiagnosed. In my county alone it's frightening, and
these are the diagnosed ones.
>All the neighbors and family friends are supportive and/or understanding.
Uh-huh.
And I took guitar lessons from Frank Zappa. Yesterday.
>His FOO confirms the abuse.
What's a FOO? Part of a Chinese dish?
>What are the chance of all that in real life?
Each one being slim by itself, I'd suspect something's amiss.
Rainbow Colors
SStuart416 <sstua...@aol.com> wrote:
>I went to the book store today at lunch and looked for the book - was 26
>dollars, so we just plunked down in those comfy chairs they provide and read
>the whole thing right there. It was a good tale. Can't say for sure whether or
>not he's DID - but then that battle rages on and on for all of us, so I don't
>even want to go there.
>
Interesting that the very things you found unbelievable I found
mirrored my experiences so well.
>The first therapist he went to was well versed in DID and knew "just" what to
>do.
The first t'pist I went to was well versed in multiplicity and knew
'just' what to do (even when I had no clue)
>The only three hospital experiences he had were in DID units.
The only two hospital stays I've had were in units that knew about
multiplicity and were supportive of it in a positive way
>He was successful in two out of three hospitalizations in doing serious work.
I was successful in both stays to do serious work
>He only had one bad experience with a therapist - and his system was together
>enough to leave half-way through it with protector parts out with the petal to
>the metal.
I had only one bad experience with a shrink in a hosp and I just
messed with his head during the stay for fun *grin*
>He had a good relationship with a very supportive spouse who stuck with him
>through out. ( no offense to the Jeff's in the group)
I've been with my SO since 1980 and he is the most supportive person I
know
>Upon moving to a new city he and his wife each find support groups ( free of
>charge) within minutes of their home.
I've never looked for a support group so I can't comment on this one
(although come to think of it my t'pist did mention one to me once in
the area)
>All the neighbors and family friends are supportive and/or understanding.
Everyone I've ever told has been supportive and/or understanding.
Granted I've told very few people though...
>His FOO confirms the abuse.
My FOO confirmed the abuse (not willingly or positively but they _did_
confirm it)
>What are the chance of all that in real life?
>
>ACESTAR
Well, that's how my life compares. It may be odd and it may be rare,
but it does happen I guess.
Rainbow Colors (Jill)
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The colors blend, the edges soften. Swirling and mixing
we are becoming white light.
ji...@tuells.org
rosetower
loved Lord of the RIngs!:)
Eve.
je...@NOSPAMop.net wrote:
> On 27 May 1999 04:42:00 GMT, sstua...@aol.com (SStuart416) wrote:
>
> >The most unbelievable things in the book I found was:
> >
> >The first therapist he went to was well versed in DID and knew "just" what to
> >do.
>
> Wow, it's like magic or something.
>
> >The only three hospital experiences he had were in DID units.
>
> And I am the guy in Rome who wears the white hat and stands on
> balconies, waving to people.
>
> >He was successful in two out of three hospitalizations in doing serious work.
>
> Apparently they gave him some pretty wild medicines while he was
> there.
>
> >He only had one bad experience with a therapist - and his system was together
> >enough to leave half-way through it with protector parts out with the petal to
> >the metal.
>
> Gee, whatever would you suspect about this? :)
>
> >He had a good relationship with a very supportive spouse who stuck with him
> >through out. ( no offense to the Jeff's in the group)
>
> I thank you.
> But we're out there.
>
> >Upon moving to a new city he and his wife each find support groups ( free of
> >charge) within minutes of their home.
>
> I've been trying to get one together for a while, with little success.
>
> However.... my wife's friend is multiple and they attend the same day
> program and see the same therp. There is another multiple a few
> blocks away, and one more about 5-10 minutes away. There are one or
> two others she met during her last `visit'.
>
> These numbers frighten me. Ross says that up to 20%(?) of people `in
> the system' are undiagnosed. In my county alone it's frightening, and
> these are the diagnosed ones.
>
> >All the neighbors and family friends are supportive and/or understanding.
>
> Uh-huh.
> And I took guitar lessons from Frank Zappa. Yesterday.
>
> >His FOO confirms the abuse.
>
> What's a FOO? Part of a Chinese dish?
>
> >What are the chance of all that in real life?
>
1945...@my-deja.com
Hello to all,
I just finished reading the book, and some things disturbed me about
it. I can only speak from my own experience, of course, and I am still
struggling along at the beginning of DID work, but I found that his
selves were very trusting and came flying out without much difficulty,
already seeming to know how to communicate among themselves. For me, it
has been so unlike that, that I had trouble believing him. West, that
is. Did that happen to others here, or are you more like me, not
trusting anyone? I found it difficult also, that he wants all this
publicity. I know his motives as listed in the back of the book sound
all nicey, but something doesn't ring true to me. Maybe I am too early
in my DID process to understand him? Don't know. Jane
In article <19990527004200...@ng-fn1.aol.com>,
sstua...@aol.com (SStuart416) wrote:
> I went to the book store today at lunch and looked for the book - was
26
> dollars, so we just plunked down in those comfy chairs they provide
and read
> the whole thing right there. It was a good tale. Can't say for sure
whether or
> not he's DID - but then that battle rages on and on for all of us, so
I don't
> even want to go there.
>
> The most unbelievable things in the book I found was:
>
> The first therapist he went to was well versed in DID and knew "just"
what to
> do.
>
> The only three hospital experiences he had were in DID units.
>
> He was successful in two out of three hospitalizations in doing
serious work.
>
> He only had one bad experience with a therapist - and his system was
together
> enough to leave half-way through it with protector parts out with the
petal to
> the metal.
>
> He had a good relationship with a very supportive spouse who stuck
with him
> through out. ( no offense to the Jeff's in the group)
>
> Upon moving to a new city he and his wife each find support groups (
free of
> charge) within minutes of their home.
>
> All the neighbors and family friends are supportive and/or
understanding.
>
> His FOO confirms the abuse.
>
> What are the chance of all that in real life?
>
> ACESTAR
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
SStuart416
>From: rosetower <rose...@aznet.net>
>Date: 5/27/99 6:24 PM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: <374DF05F...@aznet.net>
>> >His FOO confirms the abuse.
FOO = Family of origin
ACESTAR
Diane etal
I hear what you're saying. I read the book the week it came out (I had just
been dx, was in major denial, and a helper alter bought it for me - to
enlighten me, I suppose), and I was very uncomfortable with it. After reading
some of the posts here, I've since reread portions of the book- I do think that
a great deal of the discomfort comes from just being new to this. But I don't
think that's the whole thing.
I don't question West's dx - that's not my place. As I read along in the book,
though, it almost scared me - he seemed so open about his DID, told so many
people, his SO was almost non-chalant about it at times. We're kind of like
you - we don't want anybody to know - we don't trust to tell anybody, not even
our GP. Can't imagine telling the people we work with or our neighbors. My
alters - and I have no idea how this compares to others, maybe we're just weird
- are very reluctant to meet others; most of them don't trust anybody.
I don't question his desire to tell his story, either; as a writer, I
understand the need to share my thoughts with others - but I didn't like the
way the book was written. It was very "commercial." I guess I compare it to
The Magic Daughter - the first book I read about multiples - which was
obviously written to tell a story, not to sell a book or a movie.
Have had no experience as a patient in a hospital with DID, but was a psych
nurse and I know that in my area you would be better off managing your insiders
in the worst imaginable place than in a hospital - no training, no
understanding, no acceptance here!
We've been to probably 9 or 10 therapists over the last 20 years - finally dx
in December. We're happy for those who find help early - it doesn't always
happen, though.
Diane_etal
Persephone
a) For me, reading that book was somewhere in the middle of a huge shift
in the landscape that I'm still trying to come to terms with. Many of
his descriptions sounded so familiar to me that I kept having to put the
book down and have a little cry. His talk about denial led me directly
to the discovery of my child alters, and then from there there have been
further changes-- all this started one month ago when someone suggested
it to me.
b) This is a narrative book based in real life. Has anyone here read
"The Words To Say It"? Seven years compressed into a novel, and well-done
at that. My point, I guess, is that the only way to compress years of
intense work into a book is to extract the important parts, or a sample
of the important parts, and to organize things in ways that life isn't
organized, to make it coherent... given the assumption that this is
real life compressed down to a book, I don't find anything really
inconsistent about his treatment.
I've had zillions of problems with getting the HMO to pay thousands that
they owe the Mayo Clinic for an illness I just went through (which,
similar to West, ended in a diagnosis of food intolerance) but if I
were to write a book about my recent journeys it wouldn't involve the
frustration of picking a primary care doctor out of a stupid HMO book,
getting lied to by insurance, having my doctor lied to by insurance,
all that other cr*p. If the first person he picked out of the yellow
pages wasn't the first person to make a differenc in his life, do
you tell that, or is it just not relevant to your journey? One or
two bad experiences would be illustrative enough, so you pick them
out and you don't include the rest.
Anyway, I chalk the 'miracles' up to careful editing, and I found
the narrative to be very real for me.
BTW, this is my first posting here *waves hi*. For the last 8 years
my system has been very stable, so I've not been walking around going
'I have MPD' or anything, but thanks to the triggers in this book I'm
going back and thinking about things and meeting new people and learning
about things that a year ago I wouldnot have been ready for.
also, i don't generally read mail at this account, so if i'm slow
don't be offended.
--P
In article <7ikrbg$klf$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>, 1945...@my-deja.com wrote:
>already seeming to know how to communicate among themselves. For me, it
>has been so unlike that, that I had trouble believing him. West, that
>
>> His FOO confirms the abuse.
>>
PSmith9626
Lots of people are ab*sed and don't have DID.
best
amy
>His FOO confirms the abuse.
>
>ACESTAR
ziljian
>
>
>
>
look everybody. You can be critical and questioni motives of the author
of First Person Plural and be skeptical that his story was so
'fortunate' as you say, but just try and take this book for what it is:
THe first major consciousness-raising publication of a firsthand case
of DID that is accurate, done by someone who appears very credible.
THe effect of this book should be very positive. It's a good thing.
ziljian
SStuart416
>Date: 5/28/99 7:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: <7imarq$m...@dfw-ixnews7.ix.netcom.com>
ziljian,
Wasn't trying to discredit the book, just writing my responses to it. I would
have to say is does not reflect the average person's experience. It did do a
good job of explaining how it feels to be multiple, however I found it far from
what my systems experiences. We still don't have the inner communication or
cooperation (that he has had from the beginning ) after years and years of
therapy. No one can just call out our alters - they come out when they want and
go back in when they want. don't want to discount his experience, it's just
alot different from ours
ACESTAR
rosetower
SStuart416 wrote:
> >Subject: Re: "First Person Plural"
> >From: zil...@ix.netcom.com(ziljian)
> >Date: 5/28/99 7:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time
> >Message-id: <7imarq$m...@dfw-ixnews7.ix.netcom.com>
> >
> >In <7ikrbg$klf$1...@nnrp1.deja.com> 1945...@my-deja.com writes:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >look everybody. You can be critical and questioni motives of the author
> >of First Person Plural and be skeptical that his story was so
> >'fortunate' as you say, but just try and take this book for what it is:
> >
> >THe first major consciousness-raising publication of a firsthand case
> >of DID that is accurate, done by someone who appears very credible.
> >
> >THe effect of this book should be very positive. It's a good thing.
After reading all the discusion on the book, I,of course had to go check it
out for myself. Went to the bookstore with the comfy chairs and ended up bringing
the darn thing home. I would say that West had it pretty lucky, but I would also
say it was pretty painful for him. I found his story believable. He was just
fortunate in his first therapist. She was the one who got him to the right
hospitals. I've been hospitalized before as well, but never at Del Amo although I
had heard of it, and that was primarily because the HMO at the time had a "policy"
that there is no such thing as DID and therefore there was no rationale for
sending me to a Hospital that treated it. Unfortunately the majority of HMO's have
a policy written or unwrittten (or at least the ones I've been with.) that if it
can't be fixed with meds and some quick short term cognitive therapy, it doesn't
exist. I've had therapists actually tell me this.
Anyway i stayed up all night to finish the book and there are things that tick
me off about it, but it's mostly jealousy that West had the funds and the contacts
to get the treatment we all deserve to get. And that his SO was wonderful enough
to stick it out with him. My ex-SO basically told me he was tired of living with
so many people and couldn't take it any more before I even realized I had people
for him to be tired of. I always thought he was lying when he told me I'd said
and done things I *knew* I hadn't done.
I've just found a contact in the agency that provides case management here
and he's helping me qualify by telling me how to work the system to get accepted.
In essence he case manageing me unofficailly. Afte six years of diagnosed despair,
it's scary to think someone is really goimg to help me get the things I need. And
it's a relief because I was beginning to fear some of the others were going to do
some heavy duty acting out to get that help. I feel a lot safer than I did.
Eve
choddie
SStuart416 wrote:
>
> >Subject: Re: "First Person Plural"
> >From: zil...@ix.netcom.com(ziljian)
> >Date: 5/28/99 7:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time
> >Message-id: <7imarq$m...@dfw-ixnews7.ix.netcom.com>
> >
> >In <7ikrbg$klf$1...@nnrp1.deja.com> 1945...@my-deja.com writes:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >look everybody. You can be critical and questioni motives of the author
> >of First Person Plural and be skeptical that his story was so
> >'fortunate' as you say, but just try and take this book for what it is:
> >
> >THe first major consciousness-raising publication of a firsthand case
> >of DID that is accurate, done by someone who appears very credible.
> >
> >THe effect of this book should be very positive. It's a good thing.
> >
> >ziljian
>
> ziljian,
> Wasn't trying to discredit the book, just writing my responses to it. I
would
> have to say is does not reflect the average person's experience. It did do a
> good job of explaining how it feels to be multiple, however I found it far
from
> what my systems experiences. We still don't have the inner communication or
> cooperation (that he has had from the beginning ) after years and years of
> therapy. No one can just call out our alters - they come out when they want
and
> go back in when they want. don't want to discount his experience, it's just
> alot different from ours
> ACESTAR
hi acestar,
i been posting off and on since, umm, 97 i think. i remember your name, but i
don't think i ever posted to you before. if i din't, nice to say hi to you
after all these years. :)
anyways, i read cameron's book, and i guess i agree with whomever said that
it's good publicity. everyone still doesn't accept, but ya take your progress
where ya can.
quite a few ppl have posted that their therapeutic experiences were similiar
to his. me, i was thinking he must have had celestial favor to find the
perfect therp the first time, which must mean i upset all the celestial
direction makers (not really, but it sounds funny to say it).
at first i thought he used his real name, but then i saw it was a pseudonym.
not quite ready to go totally public. kinda like truddi chase/the troops.
they must obviously be recognized when they go public, but somehow not
putting a name to it makes it somehow more private.
choddie
--
For info about this service, see http://www.twwells.com/anon/ or e-mail:
he...@anon.twwells.com -- for an automatically returned help message
ad...@anon.twwells.com -- for the service's administrator
ano...@anon.twwells.com -- anonymous mail to the administrator
1945...@my-deja.com
agree with you, Acestar that the book did explain well how I feel
inside. Some of it was very much real to me, too and made me
uncomfortable. Too close to home, I guess. There were parts that really
seemed believeable and parts that i couldn't believe. But I know that
DIDers are individually different in some aspects, even though I feel
similar to lots of you here most of the time. I think that my
questioning came from being unsure of myself. It was almost like West
frightened me with how quickly his alt*rs came out, and could
communicate and like you, Acestar, I am struggling along trying to
understand what my t even wants me to do, sometimes.What do you mean
have one talk to the other? DUH! I think it scared me to think that I
somehow am not doing this right! A defective DIDer! Dumber than Cam
West. Like I am not progressing the way I should be. I think it made
me afraid that I should be getting well faster than I am. if my
insurance guys read this, they will expect me to zoom along to wellness
like he seemed to in the book. Am I making any sense at all? :) Jane
In article <19990528222816...@ng-ce1.aol.com>,
PSmith9626
Correct. Thats one reason why i don't think this likely fake story
is a good thing for us.
best
amy
> if my
>insurance guys read this, they will expect me to zoom along to wellness
>like he seemed to in the book.
Or like the many thousands of falsely diagnosed cases seem to ,when they get
bored.
( trance induction, can i speak to the sad one?
Is there anyone there . If so,will you raise a little finger while in this
trance, who are you?
You are depressed- tell me about your terrible
childhood)
One client of my T once said:
" He says i have DDNOS , i want to have DID - I am really trying"
My response: " Do you also want to have cancer?"
(spoiler)
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
ss
P
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
Someone at my hospital stay came up to me.
" The nurse said you were in a c*ven, can we talk ? I am trying to find out
more ,so i can remember my c*ven better"
My response:
Please get away from me.
( i hadn't told the nurse a thing, but the tattoo
removals and other scars were telling to the staff. What ever happened to
privacy?)
( i wasn't there for DID). I was there for severe acute depression.
I know its not politic to question , but i really get irritated by the false
cases. It trivializes the pain of the real cases.
And like jane , i dont want DID discredited for
HMO coverage.
( i hope i am not starting a flame war)
best
penny
p.s. It took me years to get a handle on denial and fear of DID ,even though i
had obvious
clear marker symptoms for my whole life.
So , as jane says, camerons quick acceptance etc. is very suspicious.
PSmith9626
me . I am so scared i am crying.
Please dont hurt me.
penny
1945...@my-deja.com
We won't hurt you, you are our friend. Will a hug help the crying
feel better? We can talk here about things that worry us, and people
who trivialize DID do worry us all, I think. I don't know if West is
truly DID. Some think he is, some not. I, too, don't want a flame w*r
over this topic, but do want to understand why his book upset me in
places, and seemed familiar and true in others. For me it is about
trying to understand Me by learning from others. There are things about
his book that frighten me, like I said, but it could just be that I
don't understand it well. I found an e-mail addy for him, and wrote to
him. I wonder if he is reading here every day? I don't want anyone to
be hurt by anything or anybody. I wish that I could make that happen
for all of us here. We have been hurt too much already. Penny, friend,
do cry if you need to cry (my t just taught me that crying is okay!)
but I am not angry with you, and I think you should express your
worries here, so we can all learn from them. Here's a hug for you , if
it is safe. ((((((((((Penny)))))))))) from Jane
In article <19990530075757...@ng-cm1.aol.com>,
Grace
Dear Jane,
Sorry to jump into this thread, *waves* to Penny too,
but I was wondering, if you could email me or post the group, Cameron
West's email addy please?
I need some information kinda urgently.
If this isn't possible, I understand.
Thanks very much in advance,
Grace
PSmith9626
Thank you. I am crying on your shoulder.
best
penny
lately i feel pretty awful.
Rainbow Colors
>Hi, Acestar, and all the others who are reading along on this thread. I
>agree with you, Acestar that the book did explain well how I feel
>inside. Some of it was very much real to me, too and made me
>uncomfortable. Too close to home, I guess. There were parts that really
>seemed believeable and parts that i couldn't believe. But I know that
>DIDers are individually different in some aspects, even though I feel
>similar to lots of you here most of the time. I think that my
>questioning came from being unsure of myself. It was almost like West
>frightened me with how quickly his alt*rs came out, and could
>communicate and like you, Acestar, I am struggling along trying to
>understand what my t even wants me to do, sometimes.What do you mean
>have one talk to the other? DUH! I think it scared me to think that I
>somehow am not doing this right! A defective DIDer! Dumber than Cam
>West. Like I am not progressing the way I should be. I think it made
>insurance guys read this, they will expect me to zoom along to wellness
The thing is _none_ of us are doing this just like anyone else. Read
any of the books (Sybil, When Rabbit Howls, etc) and you will realize
that you aren't doing this like those people either. Read here long
enough and you will realize that while we are all very common in some
ways, we are all very different in others. No one person (system) has
healed in quite the way I have, yet there are at least three people I
have met over time in this group who are very close in many ways to my
path. Some people I've talked to here are very _very_ different from
my path.
So, no fair comparing yourself to others! It just won't work! :)
Of course it would be great if we could all heal in six months or less
and there is a standing order here for anyone who pulls this off to
immediately tell the rest of the group how it was done *grin*
Rainbow Colors (Jill)
>Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
>Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Astraea Household
Cameron West's website is
http://www.cameronwest.com
And his email address is:
c...@firstpersonplural.com
This information will be posted on our website. Go to "Astraea's Booklist"
and go to where we've listed his book. The list is alphabetical by
author's surname.
Good Luck,
Jay of astraea
--
PLAY BALL: Last 2 words of the national anthem.
ast...@asarian.org
http://www.asarian.org/~astraea/household
ICQ 19049482
Chatspace: ICQ 38439662
1945...@my-deja.com
See, you aren't invisible, I see you again!!! I see someone has
posted the address you wanted, so I won't repeat it. SEE YOU SOON! Jane
In article <375196d3...@news.eis.net.au>,
anon-...@anon.twwells.com wrote:
> On Sun, 30 May 1999 17:59:45 GMT, 1945...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> Dear Jane,
>
> Sorry to jump into this thread, *waves* to Penny too,
> but I was wondering, if you could email me or post the group, Cameron
> West's email addy please?
>
> I need some information kinda urgently.
>
> If this isn't possible, I understand.
> Thanks very much in advance,
>
> Grace
>
>
1945...@my-deja.com
I don't mind at all if my shoulder gets soggy, so cry all you need
to.(handing you a tissue) Is something happening that is making you
feel awful lately? Sometimes I have no idea why I feel that way, but
sometimes others can help me with it. Can I help you? Some of us are
feeling yucky right now, and maybe we should all do something fun here
at asd. Any ideas? Are you feeling up to a little fun? Hugs for you,
and let's just sit quietly together while you feel awful. I'm here,
Penny. ((((((((((Penny)))))))))))) Jane
1945...@my-deja.com
Thanks for your post. I needed to hear that. I think I am in some
panic mode right now, because the insurance people are reviewing soon
again. I wish they would just do it and not notify me. I get all
tangled up when I know they are contacting my t, and I know it is
silly, but I do it anyway. Every time. :>{ I always get really afraid
that they will order me back to school. Now. Get thee hence and teach.
My t says they wouldn't want my four-year-old to teach. With all this
going on, and reading the West book, it made me feel like I wasn't
moving fast enough in my quest for becoming human. Do others feel like
they have to know it all right now, and hurry to get well? I know that
we all have different roads to travel toward wellness, and I have read
all the books that I can find, and see the differences. Magic Daughter
is most like me of the ones I have found. I think that the discussion
here about his authenticity, really rattled me on top of my insurance
panic and everything else.Feeling precarious right now, I guess. Maybe
I should get working on that method before someone else patents it! I
wish I could find a way for us all to get well quickly. It is such a
sad and lonely condition. Thanks, Jill, from Jane
In article <FCKtv...@illusion.tuells.org>,
> >Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> >Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
>
> --
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> The colors blend, the edges soften. Swirling and mixing
> we are becoming white light.
> ji...@tuells.org
>
ziljian
ziljian
ziljian
(PSmith9626) writes:
>
>i posted about "fake DID cases" and now i am afraid people will get
angry with
>me . I am so scared i am crying.
> Please dont hurt me.
> penny
Dont worry about it Penny. I posted the article you replied to. I'm not
offended. I don't have DID, my SO does. You guys have the last word on
this because you are the ones who have.
I'm not going to hurt you. We're all in this together.
On an intellectual level, I'm sure there have been misdiagnoses made on
every medical condition including DID. Some of the famous stories have
been discredited or seem very fake. Cam's is much more realistic but
still isn't everyone's experience. It's natural to be somewhat
skeptical.
We also don't have to fit into a box with a label whether it's DID or
common depression, it's clear people are feeling bad and need help.
People gethung up on labels.
Anyway dont be scared. It's just email. Attention list:
BE NICE TO PENNY OK? She's our friend!!!
ziljian
PSmith9626
penny
I was very scared
PSmith9626
>
>
>ziljian
>
truer words were never spoken!
amy
slinky...@my-deja.com
>
>
> ACESTAR
>
hiya acestar,
we are the faerie ring aka prism...or pixie or slinky. hehe. we just
got that book as well and while he does struggle thru much pain and
turmoil in his journey we think he had it pretty easy. we would alls
be so happy to just have one or two of those things work out perfectly
with no struggle involved. but like yous said...life just isnt that
way. anyway we just found it interesting that we just read the same
book and have a similar opinion of it. :-)
i am new here by the way. this is my first post and it isnt doin much
tointroduce me and the system. but hey i say first person plural and
just had to read it then just hadda reply.
well take care all.
love all in,
the faerie ring
aka prism
Astraea Household
Truddi Chase is that there -is- no "average" multiple household or
experience.
Operating systems like Cam West's aren't that unusual. There was a story
very much like it in Judith Hooper's book "The Three-Pound Universe"
(Tarcher, 1991) which did a whole chapter on multiplicity, and several of
them in the New York Times Book Review back in '85ish. It's also a fair
description of the Troops. A front runner who knows -nothing- about the
household, or very little, or doesn't want to know, while behind the
scenes they all pretty much know each other or at least know what's going
on, and there's at least some intra-communication. Once the front runner
either realizes what's going on or just stops trying to fight it, they
present as themselves and it's fine.
If having that kind of a situation means Cam West is faking it, then we
must be, too, because that's a fairly good description of what happened in
our household. I never even saw a therapist. I just got tired of the
struggle of pretending to be one person. And trying to keep them from
coming all the way up front as themselves.
I think it's like Rainbow said, I think there is no one right way to do
any of this.
I just think anyone who is trying to come to terms with the fact that
they're multiple in a world that really acknowledges only singlets in
daily life and relegates us only to the world of doctors' offices, anyone
who is doing that it takes real courage and perseverance and I have a
great admiration for anyone who is doing that however they do it.
Jay
--
PLAY BALL: Last 2 words of the national anthem.
ast...@asarian.org
http://www.asarian.org/~astraea/household
ICQ 19049482
Chatspace: ICQ 38439662
PSmith9626
i based my opinion on cameron (which is not written in stone) on a tv interview
with his "alters" which seemed not only fake but badly acted.
I posted that .
all best
your friend
penny
PSmith9626
Thanks. I can't talk about the pain right now, maybe later. You
are a good friend.
I could use some asd fun ,as you suggest.
hugs
penny
>I don't mind at all if my shoulder gets soggy, so cry all you need
>to.(handing you a tissue) Is something happening that is making you
>feel awful lately? Sometimes I have no idea why I feel that way, but
>sometimes others can help me with it. Can I help you? Some of us are
>feeling yucky right now, and maybe we should all do something fun here
>at asd. Any ideas? Are you feeling up to a little fun? Hugs for you,
>and let's just sit quietly together while you feel awful. I'm here,
>Penny. ((((((((((Penny)))))))))))) Jane
>
>
>Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
>Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
>
>
>
>
>
>
Thanks for hugs, needed them badly.
Queen lil
>tointroduce me and the system. but hey i say first person plural and
>just had to read it then just hadda reply.
>
>well take care all.
>love all in,
>the faerie ring
>aka prism
>
>
Hi prism,
I am Margaret :) I am not multiple, but am kindly being allowed here just the
same. My SO is a therapist and has worked with multiples before, so when I met
my first person who was dissociative it was easier for me to accept than most
other singletons I think. Any questions I had could be answered by him. So now
I am just amazed by how much singles and multiples have in common. We have
provided a sort of respite for several friends who are dissociative, they have
been able to come and visit without worrying about presenting a "united front"
(so to speak) all the time. Someday we would like to buy a house large enough
that any of our friends that wanted a place to stay for a bit could come on out
for a visit whenever they felt like it. Please don't misunderstand...I don't
mean open a theraputic sort of home at all...just a place for trauma survivors
to escape some of the pressures entailed in surviving. Scott is very good with
boundaries, so makes it clear (and then sticks with it) that our friends are
our friends and he can't ever be their T.
That's about it for me I think. I have a daughter who just got her Master's in
Biology and is engaged to be married next March, two parrots and a dog. I have
multiple sclerosis and am disabled by it, so stay home most of the time.
I just like to ever so often let everyone new to the group know that we (as in
Scott and I) am here and who we are.
Margaret
"You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than
you think."
Christopher Robin to Pooh in "Pooh's Grand Adventure"
ziljian
gee
never
done
this
before
but
probably
should
cuz
I'm
discussing
something
creepy
my wife
wants
to confront
the p**p
is
this
enough
?
ok
My wife wants to set up a meeting with a T who deals with perps and
survivors with her, the T and the perp (her father).
She wants to confront him, not to get him to confess but to bring some
closure so she can move on. But she's not sure about how she wants to
do it. Any body have any advice regarding this at all? I won't be
there.
I wanted to send a message to h im that the more he talks the better
for him. That we are not out to get him and he only has something to
gain by this -the more honest he is, the more likely he will have any
kind of relationship with his daughter and son in law. she isn't
interested in telling him this but I think it increases the unlikely
chance of him doing the right thing a bit and confessing and getting
help.
ziljian
Queen lil
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I don't have any advice really, but will wish her the best with this. My friend
who did confront her p*rp did it in a more public venue than the T's office. He
denied everything (is still denying it) but she is fortunate in that both her
mom and her brother believed her instantly..it explained many things about her
behavior to them. The rest of the family was not so kind though, and gave her a
hard time about it. Her step-aunt even said that a grown man getting drunk and
fondling a child was "normal behavior...just what men are like"
I think that most of the time the perp won't admit it, for whatever reason. I
think they managed to convince themselves that they were not doing anything
wrong for so long that they just won't accept that they caused any harm now.
However it turns out I hope that it helps her to be able to do this thing, and
that it does achieve some closure on that chapter of her life.
je...@nospamop.net
>Dear Jill,
> Thanks for your post. I needed to hear that. I think I am in some
>panic mode right now, because the insurance people are reviewing soon
>again.
Try leaving some banana peels lying randomly about the floor.
If nothing else, it'll provide hours of entertainment for everyone.
>My t says they wouldn't want my four-year-old to teach.
Look over your shoulder a lot and tell no one in particular not to
follow you. :)
>moving fast enough in my quest for becoming human. Do others feel like
>they have to know it all right now, and hurry to get well?
Sure, why not? If you're convinced you're `not good enough' in the
first place, I can see where you'd make the connection.
>is most like me of the ones I have found. I think that the discussion
>here about his authenticity, really rattled me on top of my insurance
>panic and everything else.Feeling precarious right now, I guess.
You're real. DID is real.
Unfortunately, so are insurances.
>I should get working on that method before someone else patents it! I
>wish I could find a way for us all to get well quickly. It is such a
>sad and lonely condition. Thanks, Jill, from Jane
At least there's asd!
Feel better as you can.
1945...@my-deja.com
I've got the whole family eating bananas and saving me the peels!:)
This has been a strange two weeks or so, with t'py being de*dlocked by
someone in there, and time at home being alternately fine and
disasterous. On top of that, my news server has been very erratic, and
won't let me post. You won't know that if it won't let this post go
through! My fall/winter catalogue arrived today from Se*rs,and I
thought I had missed a few months! All the calendars in the house still
say June, but maybe I didn't change them? Yikes! The postings from
Grace refuse to come through, error notice, and I don't know what is
happening, only that it isn't something good. Looking over my shoulder
at nothing, and muttering like ninety.......Oops, banana peel! Jane
In article <375847c1...@news.op.net>,
je...@NOSPAMop.net wrote:
> On Mon, 31 May 1999 18:38:26 GMT, 1945...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> >Dear Jill,
> > Thanks for your post. I needed to hear that. I think I am in some
> >panic mode right now, because the insurance people are reviewing soon
> >again.
>
> Try leaving some banana peels lying randomly about the floor.
> If nothing else, it'll provide hours of entertainment for everyone.
>
> >My t says they wouldn't want my four-year-old to teach.
>
> Look over your shoulder a lot and tell no one in particular not to
> follow you. :)
>
> >moving fast enough in my quest for becoming human. Do others feel
like
> >they have to know it all right now, and hurry to get well?
>
> Sure, why not? If you're convinced you're `not good enough' in the
> first place, I can see where you'd make the connection.
>
> >is most like me of the ones I have found. I think that the discussion
> >here about his authenticity, really rattled me on top of my insurance
> >panic and everything else.Feeling precarious right now, I guess.
>
> You're real. DID is real.
> Unfortunately, so are insurances.
>
> >I should get working on that method before someone else patents it! I
> >wish I could find a way for us all to get well quickly. It is such a
> >sad and lonely condition. Thanks, Jill, from Jane
>
> At least there's asd!
>
> Feel better as you can.
>
>
qfish
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
cc
>My wife wants to set up a meeting with a T who deals with perps and
>survivors with her, the T and the perp (her father).
>She wants to confront him, not to get him to confess but to bring some
>closure so she can move on. But she's not sure about how she wants to
>do it. Any body have any advice regarding this at all? I won't be
>there.
Good for her. It took me far too long trying to get better thinking it
would make my relationship with my father, step mother, and sibblings. Then
I finallly realized that I could get all better and things wouldn't
ecause - ta da ! ! ! there were other sickies involved who liked it
when I was the designated family sickie, Much happier now took a while to
make it stick. One sister I still have contact with.
>I wanted to send a message to h im that the more he talks the better
>for him. That we are not out to get him and he only has something to
>gain by this -the more honest he is, the more likely he will have any
>kind of relationship with his daughter and son in law. she isn't
>interested in telling him this but I think it increases the unlikely
>chance of him doing the right thing a bit and confessing and getting
>help.
(ducking) your alliance belongs to your wife, she needs your support in what
ever dicision she makes, it is her issue. If you talk to her perp for what
ever reason against her desires it seems to me that that would be prettty
serious betrayal even if you are "right"
She wants to confront and move on, you are working at cross purpose to try
to construct some way for her to stay in relationship with him. You mean to
tell me she (in form of protectror) isn't throwing towering raging fits at
this?
Gail/fishfarm
>
>ziljian
je...@nospamop.net
> I've got the whole family eating bananas and saving me the peels!:)
Give `em heck!
>disasterous. On top of that, my news server has been very erratic, and
>won't let me post.
Have you tried kicking it?
I always advise that for people having computer problems.
Otoh, the people at your provider probably don't have you sense of
humor about this.
Not to worry, it's June. S*ars is just nuts.
Take care.
Rainbow Colors
>On Sat, 05 Jun 1999 02:19:48 GMT, 1945...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
>> I've got the whole family eating bananas and saving me the peels!:)
>
>Give `em heck!
>
>
>>disasterous. On top of that, my news server has been very erratic, and
>>won't let me post.
>
>Have you tried kicking it?
>I always advise that for people having computer problems.
A man after my own heart :) My SO insists that doesn't help. Man did I
prove him wrong!! Our computer would start making this odd noise
every so often (some fan inside freaking out I think) and it would
just go on and on for a while and then stop. It was driving me nuts!!
I kept telling my SO to fix it and he kept saying there was nothing
wrong with it and it didn't hurt anything for it to do this (he said
it was vibrating on the floor). Well, regardless of _why_ it was
happening, it was annoying! So, when it would start I would whack the
case with my fist. Just once. It _always_ stopped making the noise. My
SO would just sit there and listen to it for _hours_ but whenever I
was around it *whack* and it would stop. He insisted that my banging
on the case didn't make a difference, yet he couldn't explain why _I_
could get the noise to stop and he couldn't *grin*
So, eventually we got a new computer. End of that problem. Next
problem was with our modem. It made this odd chattering noise and
again, I would just whack on it with my fist and it would stop. My SO
said that wasn't good for it and he said I should just 'jiggle' it
carefully. That never worked so I just kept whacking on it until it
broke and we got a new one :)
Since then he is much better about hardware maintenance *grin*
Rainbow Colors (Jill)
>Otoh, the people at your provider probably don't have you sense of
>humor about this.
>
>
>Not to worry, it's June. S*ars is just nuts.
>
>
>Take care.