Day 3 Part 2 - Therapist Client Duo's Wanted For Global Dissociation Study

One thing that has been repeated a few times during the sessions of the 34th Annual International Trauma Conference was that if the brain isn't online, it is not learning. Dissociation is a mental process of disconnecting from one's thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity, in a way, the brain goes offline from what is going on around it. A big part of therapy can require learning new tools, and insights and changing mindsets and unhealthy habits. It can be hard to do this when the brain is dissociated and offline. But why do we dissociate?

During the session Innovative Treatments,

speaker Bethany Brand, Ph.D. Psychology Professor presents the quote that Dissociation is the escape when there is no escape. Very few studies have assessed how patients with dissociative disorders (DD) respond to treatment (see the light blue sliver in the pie chart).

This is unfortunate because DD is associated with severe symptoms and considerable suffering, and can include serious impairment in functioning.

This is why Bethany Brand, Ph.D and some other colleagues thave started with the Dissociative Disorders (TOP DD) Studies.

The Top DD study aims to identify the most effective treatments for Dissociative Disorders.

What is the Top DD Studies?

The Top DD Studies uses a program called Finding Solid Ground. The Top DD study enabled DD patients around the world to participate in a virtual educational program informed by the results of their previous studies.

"This program is designed to help patients with ongoing dissociation (i.e., the dissociative disorders, the dissociative subtype of PTSD) learn how to get and feel safer, including learning healing-focused ways to manage and reduce emotional overwhelm, symptoms of PTSD, and dissociation." - https://topddstudy.net/

Study participants are given access to the secure website that hosted the study’s educational program, including a series of brief (5-15 minute) educational videos for patients and therapists, weekly questions, and written and practice exercises to be completed by patients.

You will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1. The group that can start the program right away. 2. The group that will be on the waiting list to start the program in 6 months.

Requirements to participate include:

• The Patient-Therapist team must have been working together in treatment for at least three months.

• Patients must be over the age of 18, and must meet criteria for one of the following disorders: Other Specified Dissociative Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociative subtype (PTSD-D), and/or complex PTSD.

• Both Patient and Therapist must be able to read English.

To view the rest of the requirements, click here: https://topddstudy.net/ In preliminary studies, participation was associated with reduced emotional distress, reduced PTSD symptoms and dissociation, and higher adaptive capacities, especially among those with the most pronounced dissociation at intake. Improvements in self-harm among the most self-injurious patients were particularly striking.

This is what some participants have said about the study.

In conclusion, it's free and pretty much requires a time commitment and discipline. If you feel like this would benefit you or your client then it could be a good option for possible healing and do your part in coming up with new treatment options for dissociative disorders treatment.