Expressions of the Inexpressible
Feeling Nureal April 20, 2006 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195170221.003.0003 (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 are founded in trauma or abuse and serve as the psyche's means of escape to assure survival, and that depersonalization disorder, though classified among dissociative disorders, has more variable traumatic causes, including later severe stress, frightening episodes of other mental illness, isolated drug use, or no apparent trigger. |
Abstract
Abstract: Dissociative disorders in general are known to be founded in experiences of trauma or abuse. They are conceptualized as the human psyche’s way of coping with intolerable circumstances—a means of escape to assure survival, no matter what the price. Depersonalization disorder (DPD) is classified by modern American psychiatry within the dissociative disorders, but its traumatic causes are more highly variable than those encountered in more severe dissociative disorders. Not only childhood trauma, but also later severe stress, frightening episodes of other mental illness, and even isolated drug use can precipitate the condition. In some cases of depersonalization disorder, there is even no apparent cause or trigger.