ACEs and Dissociative Disorders/Complex PTSD

Thank You for this post, Bonnie. I had a few occasions, during a 'varied career', to work as a 'Community Organizer'-which I also greatly enjoyed... 

I appreciate what you've written, Bonnie, and would like to read your book if it's available. Could you let us know if it is in print or available electronically?

I have always felt that my own reaction to childhood toxic stress was not dissociative in nature, but your post makes me wonder if I may be mistaken. I'd welcome the chance to learn more. Thanks for your courageous post and for sharing your story.

Hi Bonnie,

I'm currently in EMDR therapy for childhood trauma, and I am disassociative (with amnesia), and highly functioning. My brother, with a similar ACE score, had a very different path and has struggled with violence, addiction, etc.

I saw myself in your confluence of things and I'm very interested to know more about what you're learning! Currently I work with families as a doula/childbirth educator but I specialize in working with clients who are suffering with trauma, and am teaching the ACE Interface in my community to anyone who I can get to hold still. 

I look forward to anything others wish to share!

Thanks for the comments.  I am still working to get the book published and feel optimistic that it will be in print this year. Any help on that score appreciated. In the meantime, like each of you, I am using my voice to make sure people are aware of the connection to ACEs and resilience research.  I am presenting at the "Healing Together" conference in Orlando in February, which focuses on Dissociative Disorders. Will any of you be there?

The point Kristina makes is particularly interesting: why did some of us use dissociation with its protective amnesia and others, like her brother, had to live with active memory of the trauma which can lead to all kinds of problems. I consider myself very fortunate to have had so many years of an apparently normal life before I had to deal consciously with it all.  How amazing that the body and brain can collaborate to do that!

Given how triggering childbirth can be for people with sexual trauma histories, even if they don't have conscious memory of them, it must be very rewarding to support women through labor and delivery, Kristina.  What special support do you provide?

Karen, it's also an interesting question you pose.  If you know about some childhood toxic stressors, is it possible that others have been dissociated?  When I worked with young people who lived in foster care I met people for whom that was true into their 20s.  Once they got into therapy as an adult, the rest of the memories came back. 

Robert, I can see that community organizing can also connect to ACEs in communities where violence, poverty and other stressors are present.  Have you read Tomas Hubl's work about how we are all connected by national and global generational trauma?  And we all depend on each other for building resilience everywhere we can? 

I'm glad to be on this path with all of you.