Introduction
Dissociation is a normal part of the psyche’s defensive process, severing connection between categories of mental events that are normally integrated. Streams of thought or consciousness are kept apart and communication between them is restricted, resulting in a discernable alteration in thoughts, feelings, or actions.
Dissociation is an unforeseen partial or total disruption of the normal integration of conscious functioning, a means by which typically integrated streams of thought or consciousness are segregated and resulting communication restricted. This default defense can take place as a consequence of repeated or overwhelming trauma. The ability to dissociate can begin with self-hypnotic declarations such as “I am not here; nothing is happening to me. I am not in this body.” This deceit then becomes a structuring dynamic within the personality (Mollon 2002).
Historically, dissociative states have been associated with psychological and physical trauma, healing...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Bibliography
Bion, W. R. (1959). Attacks on linking. In Second thoughts (pp. 93–109). London: Heinmann.
Breuer, J., & Freud, S. (1895/1955). Studies in hysteria. In Standard edition (Vol. 2) (trans: Strachey, J.) London: Hogarth Press.
Bromberg, P. (1998). Standing in the spaces: Essays on clinical process, trauma and dissociation, (p. 173) Hillsdale, NJ: The Analytic Press.
Daves, J., & Frawley, M. G. (1994). Treating the adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse: A psychoanalytic perspective. New York: Basic Books.
Ellenberger, H. F. (1970). The discovery of the unconscious: The history and evolution of dynamic psychiatry. New York: Basic Books.
Herman, J. (1992). Trauma and recovery. New York: Basic Books.
Janet, P. (1889). L'automatisme psychologique. Paris: Balliere.
Kalsched, D. (1996). The inner world of trauma: Archetypal defenses of the personal spirit. London: Routledge.
Kalsched, D. (2005). Dante’s “Dis:” Archetypal image and clinical reality with early trauma patients. Quadrant, 35, 10–33.
Kalsched, D. (2013). Trauma and the soul: A psycho-spiritual approach to human development and its interruption. London: Routledge.
Mollon, P. (2002). Remembering trauma: A psychotherapist’s guide to memory and illusion. London: Whurr Publishers.
Putnam, F. W. (1989). Diagnosis and treatment of multiple personality disorder. New York: The Guilford Press.
Putnam, F. W. (1997). Dissociation in children and adolescents: A developmental perspective. New York: Guilford Press.
Ross, C. A. (1989). Multiple personality disorder: Diagnosis, clinical features and treatment. New York: Wiley.
Van der Kolk, B. A., MacFarlane, A. C., & Weisaeth, L. (1996). Traumatic stress: The effects of overwhelming experience on mind, body, and society. New York: Guilford Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Mitchell, J. (2014). Dissociation. In: Leeming, D.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6086-2_784
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6086-2_784
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6085-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6086-2
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science