Treating persecutor protector alters in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD) can be challenging but is an essential part of the therapeutic process. Persecutor protector alters are often created as a defense mechanism in response to trauma. They may have taken on roles that involve being aggressive, critical, or harmful to other parts as a way to protect the system from further harm or to maintain a sense of control.
It's important to approach these alters with compassion and understanding, recognizing that their behaviors were developed as coping mechanisms during difficult and traumatic experiences. Here are some general guidelines for working with persecutor protector alters:
Establish safety: Before addressing any issues with persecutor protector alters, it's crucial to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. This may involve establishing trust between the therapist and the alters to facilitate open communication.
Validate their role: Acknowledge the persecutor protector's purpose and the role they played in protecting the system from perceived threats. Let them know that their intentions were to keep the individual safe, even if their methods were harmful.
Explore underlying trauma: Understand the past experiences and trauma that led to the creation of these alters. By addressing the root causes of their development, it becomes possible to work towards healing and healthier coping strategies.
Encourage communication: Facilitate communication between different alters within the system. This can help promote understanding, empathy, and cooperation among the alters, leading to more internal harmony.
Teach coping skills: Provide alternative coping mechanisms and communication skills that can help the persecutor protector alters manage their emotions and triggers in healthier ways.
Integration and collaboration: In some cases, the goal of therapy is to work towards integration, where different alters become more cohesive and connected. However, integration is not always the primary goal, and some systems may function better with cooperation and collaboration among alters.
Work on trauma processing: Trauma-focused therapy techniques can help the system process and work through past traumatic experiences, reducing the need for extreme protective behaviors.
Develop a comprehensive treatment plan: Since every individual's experience with DID/OSDD is unique, a personalized and comprehensive treatment plan is essential. This may involve various therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Remember that treating DID/OSDD takes time, patience, and collaboration between the individual and the therapist. It's essential to work with a mental health professional experienced in treating dissociative disorders and trauma to provide the most effective and supportive care.