Fast processing as a defense. Proposal of a conceptualization model to face it
Description
Desensitization, processing and fast resolutions, which give the illusion of easy healing, are often defenses. I have observed patients with complex PTSD who have difficulties in awareness of internal states (e.g., avoidance clients) or dissociative aspects noticing that their SUDs drops to zero in one or two sessions. As soon as symptoms diminish, clients believe that therapy had ended, however, in time they fall into malaise again. Examining the case of a patient, in order to face such defense I propose a particular conceptualization:
1. Some general criteria to understand when speed processing is a defense (e.g. when a T is closely related to the dysunctional attachment).
2. The individual-Self evaluation. I identified various Traits of personality, fragmented Parts of the self and negative-Cognition (TPCs). TPCs follow each other according to a logic, useful to maintain the balance of the self, even though dysfunctional; this allows us to predict TPCs that emerge during the therapeutic work. Permanent healing can be obtained by solving them all. The real target are the TPCs; the elaboration of traumatic events, from which they arise, is the means to integrate them into the adult Self. This explains why we need to process more memories to bring a solution to each single TPC.
The patient described by me has overcome deep and frightening experiences in a relatively short time. The proposed method has been effective in solving complex problems, with a low drop-out rate. Observations are personal and they need further investigation.
1. Some general criteria to understand when speed processing is a defense (e.g. when a T is closely related to the dysunctional attachment).
2. The individual-Self evaluation. I identified various Traits of personality, fragmented Parts of the self and negative-Cognition (TPCs). TPCs follow each other according to a logic, useful to maintain the balance of the self, even though dysfunctional; this allows us to predict TPCs that emerge during the therapeutic work. Permanent healing can be obtained by solving them all. The real target are the TPCs; the elaboration of traumatic events, from which they arise, is the means to integrate them into the adult Self. This explains why we need to process more memories to bring a solution to each single TPC.
The patient described by me has overcome deep and frightening experiences in a relatively short time. The proposed method has been effective in solving complex problems, with a low drop-out rate. Observations are personal and they need further investigation.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Falco, A. (2021, June). Fast processing as a defense. Proposal of a conceptualization model to face it. Poster presented at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“Fast processing as a defense. Proposal of a conceptualization model to face it,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 8, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26912.