Trauma Based Identity Distressors (TBID) ™
In her work, our lead therapist Desyree Dixon has developed language and frameworks that help her address identity-based trauma with clients. Rather than describe clients dealing with this kind of trauma as disordered, she uses the term “distressed” and the experiences that distress clients are Trauma Based Identity Distressors (TBID). ™
Identity and Identity Based Trauma (IBT)
Identity Based Trauma or IBT refers to the psychological, emotional and physical responses to a distressing event or act where that event or act attacks, marginalizes or implicates one or more social identity factors of the traumatized person.
One reason why these experiences are particularly traumatic is the person often perceives no way to address the challenge to one's sense of self. The challenge is rooted in social identities (such a race, gender) over which the person has no control.
Identity Based Trauma (IBT) and Core Identity
Many clients come to therapy to gain a better understanding of or to construct their authentic self. When people ask, "Who am I, really?" they are trying to understand their sense of self absent the layers of societal influences that they didn't choose. The identity that remains after these layers are figuratively peeled away is the "core" identity.
Certain social characteristics, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability, for example, can significantly impact core identity. This is because societies often define what we should and shouldn't do based on these characteristics; or societal stereotypes influence beliefs about the traits and behavior of people with these characteristics.
Societal narratives have a major impact on our sense of self. Accordingly, we call these characteristics "Core Identity Factors."™
Conflict between the narratives we want to tell about ourselves versus societal narratives leads to internal tension. Societal marginalization can be traumatic. Because Identity Based Trauma implicates Core Identity Factors, it also has a profound impact on core identity itself.
Core Identity Factors Trauma Scale (CIFTS)™
Bolton Therapy works with clients to address Identity Based Trauma. To identify IBT, we use a proprietary assessment similar to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) scale called the Core Identity Factors Trauma Scale (CIFTS)™.
Trauma Based Identity Dysphoria (TBID I)™
IBT can manifest in different ways. One way IBT "shows up" for clients is a generalized state of unease, a feeling of discomfort in one’s body or with one’s identity, or general dissatisfaction with life. We refer to this as Trauma Based Identity Dysphoria (TBID I)™, which is a state of unease, generalized anxiety or depression associated with adverse experiences related to one or more Core Identity Factors.™
Trauma Based Identity Dysmorphia (TBID II)™
Another way that IBT shows up for clients is a desire to minimize the negative impact of societal marginalization of their Core Identity Factors™.
The term "dysmorphia" typically refers to body dysmorphia, defined as "an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one’s body or appearance."
We use the term Trauma Based Identity Dysmorphia (TBID II)™ to mean a harmful focus on ameliorating perceived flaws related to one or more Core Identity Factors™ or relieving the trauma symptoms associated with such Core Identity Factors™.
Trauma Based Identity Dissociation (TBID III)™
Dissociation is a process in which a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, behaviors, physical sensations, or sense of identity. Dissociation is common among people seeking mental health treatment.
It is believed that dissociation is a way the mind copes with too much stress. Many people with a dissociative disorder have had a traumatic event during childhood, although dissociation can also occur with other types of trauma. This is called Trauma-Related Dissociation.
Trauma-Related Dissociation is sometimes described as a ‘mental escape’ when physical escape is not possible, or when a person is so emotionally overwhelmed that they cannot cope any longer. Sometimes dissociation is like ‘switching off’. Some survivors describe it as a way of saying ‘this isn’t happening to me’. These reactions are usually temporary but, in cases of severe or repeated trauma, dissociation may last longer.
People struggling with identity-based trauma may dissociate, although not always to the same degree as people with other types of Trauma-Related Dissociation.
People dealing with IBT related dissociation may feel disconnected from their bodies (“Depersonalization). They may feel that the world around them isn’t real, like they are watching a movie (“Derealization”).They may also feel some identity confusion - not knowing “who they really are” (“Identity Confusion”).
Mirror in the Body ™
To help clients understand authentic identity, we sometimes use the metaphor of a mirror inside the body. Some clients struggling with identity-based trauma find it difficult to look in an actual mirror or see themselves reflected on screen during a video call. They may see an image that raises uncomfortable feelings. They may say, "That's not the real me."
They may feel like the person looking back at them in their external mirror isn’t who they really are. The face looking back at them is a mask or an imposter. Using somatic techniques, we can find the person they really are by looking inside them. We follow the path forged in their bodies by trauma and it leads us to the true aspects of their personality. Clients can find and reconstruct their whole authentic selves, and see that person reflected, internally.
For many of us with marginalized core identity factors, the mirror that matters, the mirror that gives the true reflection of who we are, is the mirror in the body™.
See a presentation that explains these concepts.
To see a presentation that explains in more detail Identity Based Trauma (IBT), Core Identity , Core Identity Factors, the CIFTS Scale, Trauma Based Identity Dysphoria (TBID I), and Trauma Based Identity Dysmorphia (TBID II), please click the button.
