DPR
Dissociated Pain Release
A self-help technique developed by a trauma survivor
Anne MacMillan, MLA
Survivor, Consultant, Coach
Master's Clinical Psychology - Harvard University
Dissociated Pain Release
Self-Help Trauma Support
Dissociated Pain Release
Dissociated Pain Release (DPR) is a self-help technique that allows users to release emotional pain from trauma without re-experiencing it. It is based on the idea that emotional pain is stored in the mind, body, and nervous system and that the stored pain causes distress and discomfort in the present, whether the trauma was a recent event or something that happened many years ago.
There is no need for a DPR user to know where any emotional pain came from. All a user needs to know is that they are currently experiencing unwanted emotional pain and that they would like to release that pain and feel better -- quickly.
Most importantly, in DPR, emotional pains are released while the user is dissociated from them -- allowing the user to process any trauma or distress without being forced to relive the original traumatic experience.
Examples of emotional pain that can be released from the body and nervous system through DPR include rage, anger, shame, sadness, guilt, grief, loneliness, abandonment, anxiety, and fear.
Likewise, DRP allows users to release any stored sensations associated with physical pain or forms of bodily discomfort that happened in the past. DPR users can release sensations of nausea, dizziness, cold, being drugged, etc. Again, all these sensations are released without the DRP user re-experiencing the original potency of any traumatic event. Often DPR users release pain without even knowing what the original traumatic event may have been.
DPR has three cyclical steps: (A) identify pain to release, (B) dissociate from the pain, and (C) release the pain. Once understood, DPR is a simple, repetitive process that applies in many self-help situations. Any user employing DPR expects to complete its A-B-C cycle several times in any one self-help session. It is understood that there may be several painful emotions, different forms of physical pain and other negative bodily sensations that require release, making time and repetition necessary.
IMPORTANT
* DPR is not trauma therapy.
Anne is not a therapist and does not support individuals through trauma therapy. Anne teaches a self-help technique that individuals can apply to many situations in their everyday lives and that they have a right to use to manage any experiences they choose, traumatic or not. It is always recommended that trauma survivors hire a licensed trauma therapists whenever possible. Call 911 in any emergency.
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Anne MacMillan, MLA
Survivor, Consultant, Coach, Educator
Master's Clinical Psychology, Harvard Univerisity
IMPORTANT
* DPR is not trauma therapy.
Anne is not a therapist and does not support individuals through trauma therapy. Anne teaches a self-help technique that individuals can apply to many situations in their everyday lives and that they have a right to use to manage any experiences they choose, traumatic or not.
It is always recommended that trauma survivors hire a licensed trauma therapists whenever possible. Call 911 in any emergency.
Feeling Suicidal?
Find a Helpline:
https://findahelpline.com/
About Me
Like many others, I grew up in a household that didn't offer me the basic protections all children need. I experienced extreme trauma as a very young child and, unfortunately, that trauma continued into my adolescence and adulthood.
I survived adolescence emotionally by focusing on studying contemporary dance, helping me process my emotions and increase my body awareness. As a young adult in my twenties, I was exposed to relaxation and meditation techniques and the idea that healing that comes naturally when we move our eyes as we dream.
In my mid-twenties, memories of traumatic events that had happened during my early childhood began to return to my consciousness. I knew about EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy for trauma, but wasn't in a situation that allowed me consistent access to a trauma therapist.
So, I began working through my traumatic memories on my own, combining what I'd learned about the emotions I felt in my body through dancing with relaxation and visualization techniques. I added what I decided to call REM Simulation -- or Rapid Eye Movement Simulation. REM sleep is the deep dreaming sleep in which humans naturally process emotions.
The result was a self-help technique that made it possible for me to work through the terrible emotions associated with traumatic events that had occurred in my past and regain the sense of emotional stability I needed -- all without having an opportunity to get the therapeutic support I needed.
Dissociated Pain Release
I dubbed my self-help technique DPR, or Dissociated Pain Release, and decided that I didn't want it to ever become something that anyone with an advanced degree and a lot of privilege could tell people they weren't qualified to perform at home on their own.
Therapy is wonderful and everyone who has access to a therapist should take advantage of that privilege. But recovery strategies should be available to anyone anywhere. That's what DPR is about for me.
From my perspective, DPR is nothing more than a collection of practical ideas put together in one package to help all of us get through the difficult emotions humans feel. It's valuable because it works and it uses human's natural REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep processing methods.
My Newest Blog Posts
From Misdiagnosis to Clarity: Level 1 Adult Autism in the 21st Century
The landscape of autism diagnosis has shifted dramatically since the 1990s, leading to a significant increase in the identification of autistic individuals, particularly among children. However, this diagnostic wave largely bypassed those born before this period, leaving a generation of autistic adults undiagnosed and struggling to navigate a world that often misunderstood them. Today, many of these individuals, now adults, are beginning to recognize their place on the autism spectrum, prompting a crucial reevaluation of their life experiences and mental health challenges.
The Historical Context of Autism Diagnosis
Before the 1990s, the criteria for diagnosing autism were narrow and often limited to more overt and severe presentations of the condition. As a result, many individuals with milder or less obvious symptoms were overlooked. This began to change in the 1990s when the professional community broadened its understanding of autism, leading to a significant increase in diagnoses, particularly among children. These children, diagnosed in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, have since grown into adults who understand their neurological differences and actively engage in spreading awareness about autism.
The Lost Generation: Adults Who Missed Out on Early Diagnosis
For those born before this diagnostic expansion, the story is quite different. Many of these individuals, who constitute what is often referred to as the "lost generation," have spent their lives without the benefit of understanding their autistic identity. As children, they were frequently misdiagnosed with various mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and even schizophrenia. While some of these diagnoses may have captured aspects of their experience, they often missed the underlying reality of autism.
The Journey to Self-Discovery and Professional Recognition
As awareness of autism has grown, these undiagnosed adults have started to piece together their experiences and recognize the signs of autism in themselves. The internet has played a pivotal role in this process, providing a wealth of information and a platform for autistic adults to share their stories. This has led many to seek professional evaluation, often after a lifetime of receiving treatments and resources that didn’t fully address their needs.
However, the journey to an accurate diagnosis can be challenging. The professional community is still catching up with the nuances of adult autism, particularly in those who have spent decades developing coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms. These individuals often present with a complex clinical picture, sometimes leading to diagnoses of co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression, which, while accurate, may not tell the whole story.
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis and Understanding
Accurate diagnosis is more than just a label; it is a key to understanding oneself and accessing appropriate support. For many in the lost generation, a correct autism diagnosis can bring immense relief, providing a framework for understanding their life experiences and the challenges they have faced. It can also lead to more effective treatment strategies, particularly for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or eating disorders that may be intertwined with their autism.
Moreover, recognizing autism in these individuals can help tailor interventions that address the root of their difficulties, potentially alleviating years of unnecessary suffering. For instance, understanding the sensory sensitivities or social communication differences inherent in autism can lead to more personalized and effective therapeutic approaches.
The Need for Continued Awareness and Research
As more of the lost generation comes forward, it is crucial for the professional community to continue expanding its understanding of adult autism. This includes recognizing the diversity of autistic experiences and the ways in which autism can manifest differently across the lifespan. The acknowledgment of subtypes, such as ASD-P (ASD with a propensity for psychosis), highlights the need for ongoing research to refine diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches.
In conclusion, the growing recognition of undiagnosed autistic adults marks a significant moment in the field of neurodiversity. It underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis, not only for the individual's well-being but also for the broader understanding of autism. As the professional community continues to evolve, it is essential to ensure that all autistic individuals, regardless of when they were born, have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
Support for Professionals and Clients:
Neurodiverse Credentialing and Practice Support for Psychologists, Therapists, Social Workers, Clergy, and Domestic Violence workers is available here.
Autistic and non-autistic members of neurodiverse family systems can reach out for support here.
Resources for Further Exploration:
Read Anne MacMillan's 2025 book entitled Neurodiverse Family Systems: Theory and Practice, available for pre-order.
View Anne MacMillan's 2019 YouTube video entitled "Autistic Adults who aren't Diagnosed."
Read the pdf of a 2015 review article entitled "How and Why is Autism Spectrum Disorder Misdiagnosed in Adult Patients? From Diagnostic Problem to Management for Adjustment" by K. Takara, T. Kondo, and T. Kuba originally published in Mental Health and Family Medicine, 11:73-88, doi:10.25149/1756-8358.1102011
Read the 2017 ASD-P (ASD with a vulnerability for psychosis) research by Felicity V. Larsen et al. "Psychosis in Autism: Comparison of the Features of Both Conditions in a Dually Affected Cohort" as published by the British Journal of Psychiatry, 210(4):269-275, doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.116.187682. Other authors: Adam P. Wagner, Peter B. Jones, Digby Tantam, Meng-Chuan Lai, Simon Baron-Cohen, and Anthony J. Holland.
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