Sarah Olson

I am the author of 'Becoming One: A Story Of Triumph Over Multiple Personality Disorder', and have maintained an online presence since 1993. Each Friday, I post 'Best Tweets for Trauma and PTSD Survivors', an annotated compilation of links tweeted in the previous week. I also maintain the Dissociation Blog Showcase, an index of ~180 blogs which discuss dissociation primarily from a personal experience perspective. Having survived a violent, secretive childhood, I know the craving for security, love, and hope that is so often missing in adult survivors' lives. I understand feeling crazy and continually misunderstood. I also know how hard it is to find help to move beyond the pain and daily challenges of trying to put a different life together. What I've learned over many years is that there is always hope. Always. My premise is that 'becoming one' is an ongoing process that is always coming into shape and focus. And it always requires diligence, honesty, and integrity to make it real. It's a journey that does not have to be done alone, either. There are hundreds of great resources for trauma survivors and their supporters, many of them organized by category on my website. Be proactive, and be your own best advocate.

Author's posts

The Not So Multi-Task List

Now that I’ve had a bit of sleep, I’m pondering current personal and professional goals, and how I might expect to attain them. Some goals are vague: “I want to write more.” Some are personally-driven: “I need more restful sleep.” Some cry out for priority: “I need more/better organization.” Some of these goals, like “print …

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Permanent link to this article: http://thirdofalifetime.com/2009/10/20/the-not-so-multi-task-list/

Two Days of Wasteland

After feeling like I was holding my breath for the last ten days, the (2008!) tax materials went to the accountant on Monday. And I still didn’t feel like I could exhale. It was as done as it was going to be, and I couldn’t sleep, and have spent the last two days in an …

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Permanent link to this article: http://thirdofalifetime.com/2009/10/14/two-days-of-wasteland/

How About a National Day Without Tax Prep Anxiety?

If there’s anything I procrastinate more than getting the taxes done, I don’t know what it is. The insane part is that we are due a refund. And here I am, pressed on a deadline once again. I don’t want to find out what happens when you need an extension for your extension. I believe …

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Permanent link to this article: http://thirdofalifetime.com/2009/10/08/how-about-a-national-day-without-tax-prep-anxiety/

National Day Without Stigma

Today is National Day Without Stigma, organized by ActiveMinds.org. Active Minds is the only organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses. By developing and supporting chapters of a student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy group on campuses, the organization works to increase students’ awareness …

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Permanent link to this article: http://thirdofalifetime.com/2009/10/05/national-day-without-stigma/

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Starting today, October 4, 2009, is National Mental Illness Awareness Week. Follow the link to find NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) links to PBS programming and other resources. You can find your local NAMI affliliate to find programs and resources in your state. For example, you can find the Massachusetts NAMI information in this …

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Permanent link to this article: http://thirdofalifetime.com/2009/10/04/mental-illness-awareness-week/

Elizabeth Smart Shines A Light

And she looks radiant doing so. Elizabeth Smart began testifying today against her former captor, Brian David Mitchell, during a hearing to determine if he is competent to stand trial. It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed since she was rescued. In the few times I’ve seen her speak (on Oprah), she consistently …

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Permanent link to this article: http://thirdofalifetime.com/2009/10/01/elizabeth-smart-shines-a-light/