Trauma-related Structural Dissociation of the Personality

• DOI: 10.1007/bf03379560
• Publication Date: 2017-02-23T10:17:18Z
• Authors: Ellert Nijenhuis; Onno van der Hart; Kathy Steele
• Keywords: Severe trauma; Scrutiny; Dissociative disorders

Abstract Many traumatized individuals alternate between re-experiencing their trauma and being detached from, or even relatively unaware of the its effects. At first sight one may be inclined to conceptualize detachment from as mental states. However, on closer scrutiny it becomes apparent that in both cases a range cluster states rather than singular state is involved. For example, does not itself exclude joyful, ashamed, sexually aroused, curious at times, can encompass such fleeing, freezing, pain analgesic. In this paper we relate emotional operating systems (Panksepp, 1998) functional (Fanselow & Lester, 1988), briefly addressed action systems. Action control functions, but some are more complex others. Reexperiencing will associated with inborn evolutionary derived defensive system evoked by severe threat, particular threat integrity body. As system, encompasses various subsystems, flight, freeze, fight. Detachment trauma, our view, several 1998), i.e., ones functions daily life (e.g., exploration environment, energy control), dedicated survival species reproduction, attachment care for offspring). context maintain provoke structural dissociation premorbid personality (Van der Hart, 2000). primary form hand, involve managing other hand. To summarize essence theory personality, argue (1) traumatic experiences, especially when they occur early body, activate psychobiological have been developed evolution, (2) due extreme stress levels classical well evaluative conditioning memories these remain unintegrated varying degrees.