Dissociation
Kate Miriam Loewenthal
Cambridge University Press eBooks December 21, 2006 DOI: 10.1017/cbo9780511490125.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that dissociative disorders involve disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception, and that trances and possession states are sometimes considered dissociative. Uses Eric's case to illustrate dissociative identity disorder with 27 personalities, shifting up to nine times in an hour. Raises the question of whether religious and cultural factors contribute to dissociative states. |
Abstract
Definitions and causes of dissociation and dissociative personality disorder Trances and possession states are sometimes thought of as dissociative. Are they? Do religious and cultural factors contribute to dissociative states and disorders? Eric had suffered serious abuse as a child, and in psychotherapy began to reveal different personalities: ‘quiet, middle-aged Dwight, the hysterically blind and mute Jeffrey, Michael, an arrogant Jock, the coquettish Tian …’. To the therapist's astonishment, a total of 27 personalities were gradually revealed, with Eric shifting personality as many as nine times in a one-hour session. Some of the personalities would not talk to the therapist, whereas others would; some were aware of each other, and some were very reflective and insightful about Eric. (based on Comer, 1999) DSM-IV says that the essential feature of dissociative disorder is a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity or perception of the environment. Disturbances may be sudden or gradual, transient or chronic. Dissociative disorders include: Dissociative amnesia – inability to recall specific events or information. This is said to follow severely stressful events, and the sufferer may be unable to recall the event even though there is no organic basis for the amnesia. Dissociative fugue – the individual travels to a different place and assumes a new identity, and is unable to remember his or her past, or their old identity. As with dissociative amnesia, this can follow severely stressful events, and the individual often cannot be traced until they ‘come to’ in their new surroundings, or are recognised. […]