Foreword:

I am delighted to welcome Cathy Collyer, an occupational therapist, as my first guest blogger. Cathy participates regularly in our afternoon Dissociative Writers Workshop. She is the author of Staying in the Room: Managing Medical and Dental Appointments When You Have DID, available on Amazon.com. See Cathy’s Brief Bio below. ~ Lyn


Guest Blog by Cathy Collyer

You might assume that since I am a licensed medical professional, I find going to the doctor or dentist effortless.

You would be wrong.

I have DID, and receiving almost any kind of treatment can be challenging for me.  

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Taking good care of my health at home can be difficult as well.  I usually have to make an effort to remain present during treatments, knowing that I could switch, or parts might say and do things beyond my control.  This can happen even if I am co-conscious with them.  I may not fully know what I have done (or not done), and sometimes I find that I can’t access my professional part to help solve healthcare issues.  

I am learning more in therapy about how to compassionately care for my younger parts.  While writing my e-book “Staying In The Room:  Managing Medical and Dental Care When You Have DID”, I was mindful to provide readers with easy ways to support their younger parts.  Child and teen parts have valuable energy and curiosity, but they can also be scared and confused during medical and dental treatment.  The best news is that actions that help your younger parts feel comfortable will strengthen your entire system!

Here are some strategies to support younger parts:

1.     Appointments

Child and teen parts do not need to go to appointments!  Techniques like Safe Space Imagery * can help younger parts avoid difficult adult appointments such as pelvic exams.

2.     Explanations

Explaining the reasons for symptoms as well as treatments, in simple and positive terms, reduces fear and boosts their confidence that adult parts can be trusted.

3.     Children’s Books & Videos

Teaching young parts about healthy self-care is easier when showing them children’s books and videos on subjects like first aid and nutrition.

4.     Color

Colorful bandages, musical/decorated toothbrushes, and fruit-flavored toothpastes appeal to younger parts while effectively caring for the body. 

5.     Fun Practice

Manicures and other enjoyable salon treatments can give everyone inside a chance to practice skills like asking for a break or a different position, or expressing criticism with less distress. 

6.     Thanks & Rewards

Thank younger parts for their participation and their tolerance of care, and reward them with attention or treats (or both)!

Younger parts do not always reveal their concerns or opinions.  Inexplicable procrastination, or the inability to take action to seek care, may be the only ways that they show how they feel.  In the same way, using a children’s toothbrush or reading a teen book on healthy habits can have subtly positive reactions for the entire system. Therapy for DID is expensive and time-consuming.  Supporting your system in these easy ways is cheap, fast, and can make living with DID better!


Self-Care

Cathy’s entire blog post is filled with self-care! Use it as it best fits your needs. For more information to help you with medical and dental appointments, check out * Safe Space Imagery (SSI), developed by Joanne Twombly LCSW specifically for people with dissociative disorders. I also encourage you to look for Cathy’s book, consider buying it for yourself, and if you do, leave a review on Amazon. Staying In The Room:  Managing Medical And Dental Care When You Have DID is available on Amazon.com as a Kindle e-book, which can be read on any device by using their free app.  

Cathy’s Brief Bio

Cathy Collyer, OTR, LMT, CAPS is an occupational therapist in private practice in the NY metropolitan area. She is the author of Staying In The Room:  Managing Medical and Dental Care When You Have DID.  She has treated adults and children in a variety of settings, including hospitals and outpatient clinics. One of her clinical interests is treating clients with a history of trauma. She uses sensory-based treatments, including therapeutic listening programs and the Astronaut Protocol. Cathy is also a licensed massage therapist. She has written and lectured on DID, sensory processing treatment, massage, and pediatric behavioral issues.  

Invitation

Check out my website at www.lynbarrett.com where you can download my free ebook called DID Unpacked and receive a free weekly newsletter. My memoir, Crazy: Reclaiming Life from the Shadow of Traumatic Memory will be released on December 1, 2021. Our new Dissociative Writers website is filled with writing opportunities to explore. Stay tuned for an upcoming Dissociative Writers Anthology!

Let Cathy know how her blog post impacted you. Share in the Comments below.  

“Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos — the trees, the clouds, everything.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Lyn

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