Toxic Shame and Dissociation
Is it toxic shame that keeps us in this constant state of dissociation?
If anyone has any insight, please discuss as this is completely new to me.
@Sasher
On the road of life, we need the encouragement of others, of course, others also need our encouragement. A word of encouragement, an action of encouragement, is not difficult. And your encouragement may bring power beyond your imagination. Your encouragement may bring success to others, and even change a person's character!
@AidenorQiangde I hear you but I'm not sure how, what you're saying and what I'm asking in my post, are connected
Hi. I recently had an epiphany that I inadvertently became my own psychological abuser in response to my childhood trauma in a way to protect myself. The voice in my head berating me for every tiny mistake & flaw was just the scared five year old trying to protect me. This realization allowed me to take the power that voice had over me by consoling my scared inner child & letting him know that I don’t need him to protect us anymore that I can do it for us.
I wonder if your dissociation is in response to your traumas as a way to protect yourself? As it usually is.
@Huey78 probably, but what you describe (as far as I'm aware) is known as the 'inner critic' and it's developed because of consistent messaging we got when we were young by care givers and family etc. So it seems to me that you may be being harsh on yourself.
The toxic shame I'm experiencing is very much a result of being repetitively shamed growing up but I'm only just becoming aware of it and it seems this whole state of dissociation is been brought on by feeling a toxic shame towards myself.
@Sasher Toxic shame can definitely trigger it. Since toxic shame does often come from childhood trauma it can be hard to heal from. It kind of becomes a part of who we are. It feels normal when it's happening all the time when you're little. Kind of like marinating in it 24/7.