Periodically, I give a talk about the healing power of groups. Here’s an excerpt from my latest one:
My first piece of wisdom to share is that human beings are built to need connections with other people. We all yearn to be understood by others, to be seen and heard, to realize we are not alone in our thoughts and feelings, and to feel safe enough to show all the different parts of ourselves. And the reality is that many of our patients are isolated, alone, unable to get enough of those connections, with the isolation only growing during COVID. So it’s even more critical and important to make groups accessible to people during a pandemic.
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Last night, on Twitter, as I was thinking about the healing power of groups, I asked this question:
When I posted that question, I was thinking that I would want to join a group that could do SOMETHING productive about the horrible situation unfolding in Ukraine. Several people who responded on Twitter reflected my feelings about that, so I didn’t feel alone.
Some people responded to that question with the old Groucho Marx saying — “I wouldn’t want to join any club that would have me as a member” — and other people responded that they weren’t joiners and didn’t like groups.
Personally, I belong to the group that believes that most people need to feel connected to others in order to heal and to feel empowered. I was about to write “but that’s just me,” when I realized that it’s NOT just me. Which, again, I find healing.
Are there any healing powers in the group of images I’m presenting in today’s blog?
From the National Day website:
NATIONAL MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DAY
National Multiple Personality Day on March 5th has two separate approaches to recognizing this day.
The first strategy takes an inward examination of our own personalities. This approach sees the day as a way to explore personality traits and examining the roots of those traits. Each one of us shows a different side of our characters at other times and in different places. Sometimes our personalities appear to be altered, depending on whom we are with and what we are doing. With these things in mind, the day focuses our thoughts on our own personality traits.
The other view of the observance aims to raise awareness of the disorder. Multiple Personality Disorder is better known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). It is characterized by at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities or dissociated personality states that alternately control a person’s behavior. Someone with DID will experience memory impairment for important information not explained by ordinary forgetfulness. While the disorder affects less than .1 to 1 percent of the population, its impact is profound for that community and their family. The continued need for treatment, support, and research remains.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MultiplePersonalityDay
While there are two ways to approach this day, you can choose to recognize both.
Start by exploring your personality traits. Take a personality test and learn more about your personality.
Invite a friend to take the test with you and compare your results.
Learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder. Please find out how it affects a person and how it is treated.
Attend a seminar or read up about the disorder.
Show support for those with the disorder by sharing your newfound understanding.
Use #MultiplePersonalityDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this multi-faceted day.
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When I search YouTube for “The Healing Power of Groups” I find nothing that relates to this topic. That tells me that I should probably make a YouTube video about this.
Speaking of my YouTube videos, here‘s a video from my 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show “Group Therapy With Ann.”
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Thanks to all people who heal in groups and to YOU!
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 