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How Can Others Help YouWhen You Dissociate?

People around you may or may notknow that you are dissociating. It isyour job to ground yourself in thepresent time and place. With practice,you will not need help from others.

Some things others can do to help are:

call your name and let them knowyou want them to do somethingwith you (e.g., talk to you, go for a

walk). ask you to open your eyes so that

you can see where you are.

remind you that right now you aresafe.

remind you to ground yourself.

Controlling your dissociationwill help you to: improve your memory,

be in control of your life,

be present in the moment andknow what is happening, and

keep your self-respect by avoidingembarrassing behaviors.

If you need immediate help,you can:

call your doctor

call Health Link 408-5465

go to EMERGENCY at yournearest hospital.

A pat ient descr ibes

diss ociat ion as:

I am like a puzzle. I am the frame ofthe puzzle and all the pieces are partsof who I am and what I do.Sometimes the pieces fit together.Often there are spaces or a piece is ontop of the frame. I need all the piecesso I can get them in place and see thewhole picture.

Where can you get moreinformation? Ask your doctor or nurse

Call Health Link 408-5465

This pamphlet was written by the Education Committee ofthe Mental Health Program at the Grey Nuns CommunityHospital and the Co-ordinator of Patient and FamilyEducation, Caritas Health Group. September, 2004.Permission to photocopy as is. Reorder form #90276

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