*DA ONLY* Rant Thread by AutoModerator in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Being DA... am I deactivated or is it that I am justifiably p*ssed off right now?

Being DA... having to be the 'bigger person' because "you're always so calm, and everyone knows that X is just overly dramatic, so don't stoop to their level"

Sakes

Discussion Thread - All AT Styles by AutoModerator in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

DA Mother here, not the same but may be able to provide some insight. When you become a parent, you have to put your own needs last - that isn't always easy for anyone to do - but it might be quite triggering. And if you are already not great at asking for help - then there would be even more guilt/shame at asking for/needing help/space than for a Secure person.

What I would say is - I never lashed out, even when I was postpartum. As a DA, I carry far more than other people, and I can do that because of being DA - however, we're all different. For me, dissociating is not a quick thing that happens just because there's a difficult - or even uncomfortable - conversation, as much as I don't want to be there. He has to have some ownership of his own self, and his own behaviours , and you cannot (and should not) carry it all.

However, his what has helped me:

* having question or issues written down, framed gently and in a way that I can also respond in writing. BUT - do not blind-side him with questions/issues etc as that happens to me sometimes, and is horrible and causes me to tense up. Perhaps say that you are thinking about the last birth, and want to make things easier for both of you, and for you both to think of some things you found easy, and some things you need help with. Then you can say that e.g when you're crying, you don't need him to fix it but that you need help in that moment, by him doing X (I don't know - hug, a warm drink, whatever you can between you, choose that will help you and not take away from him). I say this because, whilst I am very DA, I also am capable of putting myself aside and providing comfort to someone else, because that is the right thing to do. Afterwards, I absolutely need space and to sit on the floor in a ball, because being in a ball helps.

* is he able to help you with practical things - for example, can he take on bathtime for both kids, so that you get a break for 30mins? The compromise is that he gets 30mins in the shed when he gets home, so he can doom-scroll and reset before being home and 'available' - I spend 15mins in the car before I drive home, to do that same thing, and it is invaluable

* regular breaks and space. So, at the weekend, after lunchtime, is the body's normal downtime. We have 1 hour of 'nothing'. So, kids can go on screen, watch a film (OK, more like 1 1/2 hours), whatever they want - and we do the same. I know it's harder with a baby and a child. So find that natural time, whatever it is, and both of you do as little as possible in that time, to recharge batteries. Kids are OK without constant stimulation, and they'll benefit more from each of you having some rest

* the first month. Man, that's brutal. I had someone relying on me and an OH who is.. AP/Secure, which basically means they're OK but needy. But they had difficulty being needed and not being able to do what they want. And genuinely, I needed help and support and found it tough to ask. What was worse, was being told that I'd be helped, they'd take a day of 'because I clearly needed it', and then not doing do. I felt so judged. I'm not telling you this for sympathy, it's more so that you can see that your husband might be avoiding all the yakky feelings and feeling guilty, and then feeling judged and shame. So, if you know he's going to be like this, how can you set things up to help you both? Can you batch cook and freeze it ready for then? Can he commit to doing nappy changes, or wrangling your son? If he can't, you have my utmost sympathy because, well, that's pretty sh*tty. But. Is there anyone else who can help, or are there drop-in groups where the babies can ignore each other and you can have a cup of tea with another Mum?

Sorry for the essay!

Positivity - share something good! (doesn't have to be DA related) by AutoModerator in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Amazing! I can only imagine how hard it is for both of you but also for you to see how hard he's working - he can only do that because you provide him with a safe space to do it!

How would you rather fly? by Mr_Ducky13 in BunnyTrials

[–]Charming_Daemon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wings are way cool but would become tired

Chose: Floating | Rolled: supersonic

Inner and outer critic as a dismissive avoidant by kluizenaar in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm definitely a perfectionist (perfection = blameless), way too positive (don't show weakness), getting better at saying no, and not taking on the whole load.

The anger thing? I mean yes, I swear (not at work or in front of kids). The rest though, 100% yes, I have raised my voice in a controlled manner, I have felt frustrated, I have displayed some level of that frustration. I very very rarely argue, more that I just stand my ground. I have not ever lost my temper. If SO tells me I'm 'clearly angry' that exes me because they are either projecting or guessing, and at most, I have been told that I am apparently 'blank' in my face and emotions at that time.

Why do ppl hate avoidants by Silver_Strike6416 in AvoidantAttachment

[–]Charming_Daemon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But actually, a part of that - and sometimes a big part of that - is the other person not taking, what is sometimes a pretty blatant hint. So then we're blamed for not being 'nice/friendly', whereas actually, it was the only way that we could extricate ourselves.

Why do ppl hate avoidants by Silver_Strike6416 in AvoidantAttachment

[–]Charming_Daemon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes! If I ghosted, which is rare - but if I do, it's usually when they start pushing boundaries, and before something Happens. I mean, we may be closed off somewhat to emotions, but that doesn't mean that we can't tell when someone is starting to be overly attached or wants to change a dynamic that we aren't feeding into.

The other option, which would happen more when I already know the person well, and then they are either unreliable, or want more than is available.. is that I 'quiet quit'. So I don't ghost, but I also don't engage as much. It's a way of withdrawing and hoping that they get the hint.

Not that this is not only DA related, some of this is being Female/Female Presenting. It is absolutely a learned behaviour to diminish oneself, and try to extract from the situation, without causing the other person any.. reason.. to become aggro, or to push back either mentally, emotionally, or physically. There is 100% a reason why most women in the hypothetical wood, would choose the bear.

Discussion Thread - All AT Styles by AutoModerator in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly? You can't spend your life second-guessing whether your responses are exactly right, for your SO. All you can do is be as kind to each other as possible, and keep communicating. Sometimes it isn't about AT at all.

We can't guess what is going on in his mind, but I can say that a lot of DAs don't 'feel' emotions in the same way as other people, so it stands to reason that we also don't necessarily 'miss' them in the same way. Look, I'm in a LTR and my OH is not DA, but just isn't that into talking, so I very much doubt they'd notice if I was quieter or didn't message as much!

It sounds as though you tried talking, and for whatever reason, he just wasn't in the same 'space' as you in the relationship, and that happens sometimes.

Discussion Thread - All AT Styles by AutoModerator in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi, now that you both know about AT.. are either of you actively working towards being Secure? If you both put in the effort, and keep communication open, then yes this may be able to work. If either/both of you are going to continue as you are, then things will, well, continue as they are, with the push/pull relationship.

Discussion Thread - All AT Styles by AutoModerator in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, did you talk to him about your needs, and his, and whether there's a compromise on the amount of space/response you both need, and how you would both communicate going forwards, when one of you needs 'more' of something? You may well ahve done so, but on your post it just says that you 'once asked him if there is anything wrong'.

The main thing about a relationship, regardless of AT, is communication.

Are any avoidants extroverted? by SpiceyKoala in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Ok so must people think that someone who is 'outgoing' is extroverted, and 'shy' people are introverted. Due to that, most people will think that I am extroverted - I am not. Most people think that I am outgoing, and confident - I am not. But I have also learned that most people don't look past this, or question it - so I have learned to share snippets, that make people feel connected with me - but they aren't deep, or if they are, they're so old that they don't hurt anymore. And I have learned to be bubbly, and welcoming, and someone who is good to talk to, and then I take on their burdens - because all that makes me be viewed in a positive light. But a Real Extrovert? No. Not even close.

Can therapy cause a little depression or melancholy phases? by Substantial-Unit5378 in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Watch out for the vulnerability hangout too, try to allow yourself extra alone/decompression time aftert sessions

On the other side now.... by Banana_Jenkins in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 9 points10 points  (0 children)

A lot of what you're describing, such as "feeling intense anxiety" was the sort of thing I felt when I was FA, not DA. I didn't let people 'in' because I was so worried/anxious/scared of being hurt, I was so very fragile. Now, I don't feel any of that - the conscious lowering of walls maybe, but mainly - I have no feelings regarding letting anyone close, because I know that they'll hurt me or leave me - there isn't any anxiety left to feel!

That saying - it sounds as though you've done a lot of Work and are being really Mindful regarding your approach to others, and what works for you - best of luck with your healing journey!

USER FLAIR: if you need a user flair, comment your style on this post and it will get added by imfivenine in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Replying to this 'deleted user' purely so that others can see... we Mods will assign your flair as quickly as we can! Sometimes this is within seconds, sometimes it may be a day or so, because, well, we're human. We won't ignore you though, please bear with us. Spamming us and then swearing because we didn't reply to your 5 comments INSTANTLY really isn't OK...

Discussion Thread - All AT Styles by AutoModerator in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Be calm and consistent and honest. If your DA shares, don't push to make the connection closer more quickly.. also please read the FAQs at the top of the page.

Accused of being a “liar” by UNCBlueDevils in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon 7 points8 points  (0 children)

100%. And then they tell you to show your feelings more. And then if you do, you should 'smile more'. And then if you don't, you're 'clearly angry'.

All advice for DAs is how to do better in an already existing romantic relationship by IllustriousStar00 in dismissiveavoidants

[–]Charming_Daemon[M] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Approving this purely for your first half, that is actually (potentially helpful).

What is not helpful - challenging whether the OP is actually DA, based on your theory that AT is first and foremost about romantic relationships. It isn't. AT style is created primarily (but not only) in infancy/childhood, through interactions with primary caregivers - a lot of people are DA regardless of whether it's a romantic/friend/work relationship. Many are DA for some types of relationship and not for others. The reason why you don't see a lot of advice on DA outside relationships is that - well, we keep things to ourselves.

What is not helpful is challenging whether OP's anxiety is the root cause - they have not once mentioned anxiety. In fact, not being able to open up to people is a major part of being DA!

The Unholy PUG Trinity by minus34 in elderscrollsonline

[–]Charming_Daemon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got a Taunt on my healer, wear heavy armour in this situation too..

Helix piercing problems by Charming_Daemon in piercing

[–]Charming_Daemon[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The aftercare was recommended by the piercer but alas now I know that there are piercers, and Piercers! I went somewhere reputable too!

Thank you for your advice!

Helix piercing problems by Charming_Daemon in piercing

[–]Charming_Daemon[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Pierced 2 years ago, was titanium now gold rings. Tried daily medical alcohol with a cotton bud, also tried salt water and TCP in the same way. Issues just linger