The Three ‘D’s of Grief
#1 Dissociation
As you are well aware, there are many kinds of dissociation. However, I have found that, fundamentally, dissociation refers to a disconnection between experience and emotion, or between mind and body. See if any of these dissociative remarks sound familiar:
Here is grieving client observation
— Number One:
“It’s like I’m outside of my body looking in.”
– Number Two:
“I have no idea what I’m feeling”
Dave, age 17, made a third dissociative observation when he stated, “I knew I should have felt something, but I didn’t feel anything.” Dave was referring to an accidental cut to his hand which happened several days after his best friend, Jeremy, died from a drug overdose. Dave stated, “It was a deep cut. The doctor gave me 9 stitches. At first, I just watched the blood flowing out. I didn’t feel any fear or pain. I knew what was going on, I just didn’t care. Then my mom saw it and she freaked. Her scream sort of woke me up, I guess.” Later on this track, I will describe a technique I suggested Dave use to avoid similar dissociation.
For #2 and #3 ‘D’s of Grief go to Grief Course.
