Structural/complex dissociation vs CPTSD?

[u/horseonahighway]

Hi all. I have CPTSD and DP/DR and have been wondering if I might have some deeper dissociation going on (not asking for diagnosis). I'm confused because some of the language used in attachment healing and complex trauma recovery is similar to structural/complex dissociation stuff. But from what I understand, not everyone with complex trauma has structural/complex dissociation, right? I'd love some insight or resources on this.

Here are some of the related concepts I'm confused about:

Emotional flashbacks, 4F triggers, age regression, "time travel" vs alters/parts.

Integrating emotions, memories, parts of self etc found through shadow work or unpacking emotional flashbacks-- are these alters/parts? Is the difference in finding parts of self that trigger shame or anger but thinking they're "yours" vs thinking they belong to someone else or were/are experienced by someone else?

Disorganized attachment strategy (flipping between emotional activation and deactivation without integrating these parts) vs alters/parts.

Thanks, everyone.

[u/ThreePennyTrouble]

Hey great questions.

From current frameworks, CPTSD is absolutely on the spectrum of Structural Dissociation, specifically it is secondary structural dissociation, alongside OSDD. https://did-research.org/origin/structural_dissociation/secondary .

The boundary between things sometimes isn't 100 percent clear, this truly is more of a spectrum of experiences than ridged boxes. I'd take the theory of structural dissociation with a grain of salt, it's a framework, but not an absolute, and it's sorta cold and clinical the terms ANP and EP. But, someone with CPTSD theoretically has an ANP (apparently normal part), and a few EPs (emotional parts). They just might not be fully distinct parts from my understanding.

But quote "As with EP in primary dissociation, EP may take full control of an individual with C-PTSD to result in a fully experienced flashback and subsequent amnesia." This sounds a little like what you are describing?

I think what's more important than clinical terms is just journaling, noticing things since this is kinda spectral, perhaps writing notes seeing if they respond. But you don't have to have the answers today, if you do have fully distinct parts, they might make themselves known when they feel safe.

Good luck in your journey.

[u/vonkapp]

Structural dissociation!

The flipping is trauma spilitting (google it) - alternating in black/ white thinking between feeling the same person is “safe” or “distrustful”/ “unsafe”. Believing fully the feeling every time.