Nine domains of integration

Nine domains of integration

This is the type of integration work that goes beyond unificationAlso known as final fusion. See 'integration'.Integration (state of unification) occurs in the minds of all individuals and is a process rather than an end product. "If integration is impaired, the result is chaos, rigidity, or both. Chaos and rigidity can then be seen as the red flags of blocked integration and impaired development of the mind." {{Rp|9}} The natural process of the mind is to link differential parts (distinct modes of information processing) into a functional and unified self. No child has unified personality when born, in fact, they need years of sufficient nurturing for the parts of their personality to integrate. (see multiple) {{Rp|394}} "Integration is more like making a fruit salad than like making a smoothie: It requires that elements retain their individual uniqueness while simultaneously linking to other components of the system. The key is balance of differentiation and linkage." {{Rp|199}} Integration is the normal process that occurs in early childhood, but if interrupted by trauma and disorganized attachment, the child may not be able to integrate, resulting in a dissociative disorder. {{Rp|143}} As an adult, when therapy is sought out, an individual who has unresolved trauma and lacks integration, can finally get the help needed to process the trauma memories, which needs to be done prior, and to finally [integrate the alters making up the ersonality into one unified self. {{Rp|141-144}} work in those with dissociative identity disorder. See integration for dissociative identity disorder work.

Introduction to integration by Dr. Daniel Siegel

IntegrationIntegration (state of unification) occurs in the minds of all individuals and is a process rather than an end product. "If integration is impaired, the result is chaos, rigidity, or both. Chaos and rigidity can then be seen as the red flags of blocked integration and impaired development of the mind." {{Rp|9}} The natural process of the mind is to link differential parts (distinct modes of information processing) into a functional and unified self. No child has unified personality when born, in fact, they need years of sufficient nurturing for the parts of their personality to integrate. (see multiple) {{Rp|394}} "Integration is more like making a fruit salad than like making a smoothie: It requires that elements retain their individual uniqueness while simultaneously linking to other components of the system. The key is balance of differentiation and linkage." {{Rp|199}} Integration is the normal process that occurs in early childhood, but if interrupted by trauma and disorganized attachment, the child may not be able to integrate, resulting in a dissociative disorder. {{Rp|143}} As an adult, when therapy is sought out, an individual who has unresolved trauma and lacks integration, can finally get the help needed to process the trauma memories, which needs to be done prior, and to finally [integrate the alters making up the ersonality into one unified self. {{Rp|141-144}} is bringing separate things together within awareness, into a functional whole. ^[1]:7

• I. Integration of ConsciousnessThe internal state of knowing that something is happening in the present moment. {{Rp|9}} In Dissociative Identity Disorder awareness of other alters varies with each [[alter]]. Some [[alter]]s are fully aware of all others, and some are only aware of themselves. {{Rp|26}}
  

How an individual perceives "something" is influenced by past experience. This prior learning is referred to as "top down constraints," and it suffocates a new experience, by shaping the way we encounter that new experience. The new experience is referred to as "bottom up information." The combination of top down constraints and bottom up information is what is experienced in consciousness. ^[2]:1-45,380 Without integration, an individual will lead a dull life, and feel fuzzy headed; not present. The goal of integration is to be in the present, and not let a new experience be constrained by previous information. ^[1]:7 Work on this form of integration involves focus in a mindful way. ^[2]:267-306Mindful awareness, at a deep neural level of consciousness is an invitation that allows us to approach things as if they were new. ^[1]:7

• II. Bilateral (Horizontal) Integration

Neural integration, such as horizontal and vertical integration is fundamental to Self organization, and the brains ability to create a sense of Self. ^[2]:340 Horizontal integration involves the two hemispheres of the brain, the right and the left. These two halves are differentiated from each other. Innate causes can affect"a person's present emotional responsiveness, which can be inferred from facial expressions" including both the degree and range of expressive behavior. This can also be shown in tone of voice, hand and body movements. {{Rp| 6}} differentiation, and thus impair linking. These include: autism, nonverbal learning disabilities, and attachment issues. ^{[2]:219-266,381} The key to this type of integration is to acknowledge that the process that occurs in each hemisphere of the brain is equally valued and accepted. In other words, we need our rational left hemisphere, and we need our emotional right hemisphere equally. The acceptance of this is important to integration. ^[2]:381

• III. Vertical Integration

What is referred to as vertical integration (because the brainstem and limbic area are below the cortex) involves three regions: 1.) brainstem: 2.) limbic area, 3.) cortex. Vertical integration is a part of the conscious experience, and is affected by early attachment. ^[2]:381-382 This step in integration is an invitation to the brainstem, limbic and bodily states (all non linear, non verbal, non logical) to be fully present in awareness. Outside of consciousness these processes can remain unlinked, but by awareness, we invite linkage. ^[1]:7

• IV. Integration of Memory"Memory is not a static thing, but an active set of processes." {{Rp|51}} "Our earliest experiences shape not only what we remember, but also how we remember and how we shape the narrative of our lives. Memory can be seen as the way the mind encodes elements of experience into various forms of representation. As a child develops, the mind begins to create a sense of continuity across time, linking past experiences with present perceptions and anticipations of the future." {{Rp|11}}

See memory for more detail, but in short, memory is laid down as initial encoding in implicit forms of perception, bodily sensation, emotion, and behavioral response into bits of explicit factual and autobiographical memory storage. ^[2]:382 The normal process is for a child to develop a sense of Self across time. The memory laid down is then integrated by the hippocampus, into explicit memory. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that takes "puzzle pieces" of implicit memory and processes them. ^[1]:7 If this naturally occurring process is blocked due to trauma, it results in implicit memory retaining its original state. This is felt as a flashback, and other phenomena in which an individual is influenced by their past, without the understanding of where the feelings are coming from. ^{[2]:46-90,383} Awareness invites the processing of trauma memory. Memory processing should not be done without the help of a trauma trained therapist.

• V. Narrative Integration

In narrative integration, we take the ability of the left hemisphere to organize information into a linear event, and the memory storage of the right hemisphere, and we are then able to tell a story of our life. In narrative integration we are consciously attempting to link the past, present and future (anticipated) events of our life. With mindfulness, we can find the ability to be fully in the present as we experience the past. Journaling is especially helpful in this type of integration. ^[2]:383-384

• VI. State Integration

Certain states can be triggered and display inappropriate behavior. To get back to a state where we display good behavior we need to work on awareness. Relationships with others influence who the Self becomes, but our state of being in the moment, is affected greatly by how an individual has adapted to past experience. Different states can have conflicting needs, and understanding this aids in integration of states. ^[2]:383-384

It's ideal for good mental health, to link the many states that make up our personality. ^[2]:384-335 The goal is not to obtain a homogenous being, since humans simply are not homogenous. The goal instead is to link/integrate our various states. ^[1]:7 Those individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder have the most work ahead of them, but this is a process that all humans work on throughout life.

• VII. Interpersonal Integration

This is the process of internal change, to aid in the intimate linking to other individuals. ^{[2]:186-218,384}The connection of relationships and integration by Dr. Daniel Siegel

• VIII. Temporal Integration

Temporal integration is the differentiation of our longing for things to be certain, permanence, and immortality. The ability to embrace these three factors aids in this form of integration. ^[2]:385-386 Life is not certain, and we need to embrace the conflict of the fact there is impermanence and out need for permanence. All things change, and all living things die. The understanding that we will die is probably unique to humans, and this ability helps us to anticipate the future, map the past and be in the present. ^[1]:7

• IX. Transpirational Integration

This is the final form of integration, and it moves across the other eight domains. It is a connecting of all things, and feeling whole. ^[2]:386 It is the awareness that we are not separate, we are connected. It is the delusionA delusion is a "false belief, based on incorrect inference about external reality, that is firmly held despite objective and obvious contradictory proof or evidence and despite the fact that other members of the culture do not share the belief." {{Rp|24}}Delusional perception is a "perception that has a unique and idiosyncratic meaning for a person, which leads to an immediate delusional interpretation". A Schniederian first-rank symptom often associated with schizophrenia {{Rp|1434}} but not associated with dissociative identity disorder. {{Rp|391}} that we are separate that keeps us from being part of the bigger whole. If we understand this, then we work for the common good, instead of being isolated. ^[1]:7Introduction to integration by Dr. Daniel Siegel

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Siegel, Daniel J. (2008). The neurobiology of "we" [how relationships, the mind, and the brain interact to shape who we are]. [Boulder, CO]:Sounds True. 159179949X.
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n} Siegel, Daniel J. (2012). . New York:Guilford Press. 146250390X.