[ali3n]

is dpdr some form of defense mechanism?
are there any studies out there that prove this is true/false?

 

[Psyborg]

some people online claim it is but I dont understand how it is supposed to be because something that defends/protects you should be comfortable but dp/dr is very uncomfortable and hard to deal with

 

[Chip1021]

is dpdr some form of defense mechanism?
are there any studies out there that prove this is true/false?

I'm not sure how or if any scientific studies could "prove" the defense mechanism explanation of DP/DR. The idea of a defense mechanism itself is an attempt at explaining observed phenomena. But then again I'm not a scientist so I may be way off here.

Still, it's the explanation most frequently given by those that study it within the context of anxiety especially.

 

[optimist100]

Well dissociation is definitely a defence mechanism and the main symptom in dp that affects and create the other symptoms.
There's a lot of research and literature about dissociation as a defence mechanism.

 

[Phantasm]

some people online claim it is but I dont understand how it is supposed to be because something that defends/protects you should be comfortable but dp/dr is very uncomfortable and hard to deal with

That was something I always found hard to understand too, but it made more sense to me to think that survival instincts are not about your happiness or comfort, they are about keeping you alive. Survival comes first, happiness and contentment is down on the list, so the first thing is convincing that primitive part of us, in whatever way, that we are not under immediate threat.

 

[Psyborg]

That was something I always found hard to understand too, but it made more sense to me to think that survival instincts are not about your happiness or comfort, they are about keeping you alive. Survival comes first, happiness and contentment is down on the list, so the first thing is convincing that primitive part of us, in whatever way, that we are not under immediate threat.

I dont even know what dp/dr is protecting us from ?

 

[ali3n]

Well dissociation is definitely a defence mechanism and the main symptom in dp that affects and create the other symptoms.
There's a lot of research and literature about dissociation as a defence mechanism.

hmm.. that makes sense.. i'll look more into it, thanks

 

[ali3n]

That was something I always found hard to understand too, but it made more sense to me to think that survival instincts are not about your happiness or comfort, they are about keeping you alive. Survival comes first, happiness and contentment is down on the list, so the first thing is convincing that primitive part of us, in whatever way, that we are not under immediate threat.

like how our body takes warmth from our extremities in order to keep our organs safe when its cold outside, it may not be very confortable for us, but its to protect us..

 

[Phantasm]

I dont even know what dp/dr is protecting us from ?

The trouble is we are complex and social animals so threat can be registered in all sorts of subtle and prolonged ways.

 

[gmriefler]

Some say dp is a defense against overwhelming anxiety or fear. But for many of us it is present when anxiety and fear are not present. My guess is it that it is a mental state between the relative reality of the world in which people seem to live and the Absolute Truth of who we are. It’s the ego’s (or mind’s) way of trying to stay alive when deep inside we are awakening to our true nature. It’s like we have partially awakened to who/what we truly are, but the mind is trying its best to keep the veil over our eyes.

 

[ali3n]

Some say dp is a defense against overwhelming anxiety or fear. But for many of us it is present when anxiety and fear are not present. My guess is it that it is a mental state between the relative reality of the world in which people seem to live and the Absolute Truth of who we are. It's the ego's (or mind's) way of trying to stay alive when deep inside we are awakening to our true nature. It's like we have partially awakened to who/what we truly are, but the mind is trying its best to keep the veil over our eyes.

i think (somehow) that pretty much sums what i've been feeling lately, but i couldnt put it into words.. thanks

 

[Array]

Some say dp is a defense against overwhelming anxiety or fear. But for many of us it is present when anxiety and fear are not present. My guess is it that it is a mental state between the relative reality of the world in which people seem to live and the Absolute Truth of who we are. It's the ego's (or mind's) way of trying to stay alive when deep inside we are awakening to our true nature. It's like we have partially awakened to who/what we truly are, but the mind is trying its best to keep the veil over our eyes.

Perfectly described, it as if my life had been on some sort of autopilot until the day I transitioned. Absolutely nothing that I am aware of could've trigged it, just spontaneously occurred after not having panic attacks for 4 years.