Written and edited by some of the world's foremost experts in the field, Trauma, Memory, and Dissociation provides comprehensive coverage of dissociation and memory alterations in trauma, an area that is being dramatically reshaped by vigorous new research. This one-of-a-kind book, written for researchers and clinicians alike, covers aspects of this subject that have not been thoroughly examined before. It presents empirical data on dissociative symptoms associated with exposure to psychological trauma, including combat, childhood abuse, and other traumas, as well as the important relationships dissociative disorder has with other conditions associated with extreme stress such as posttraumatic stress disorder. This book also examines areas where questions still linger concerning the psychopathology of trauma-related dissociation, including dissociation as a defense mechanism or a normal personality trait. Because dissociation plays an important role in the recall of traumatic memories, Trauma, Memory, and Dissociation investigates the controversial areas of delayed recall of childhood abuse and "false memory syndrome." This text also offers clinicians a detailed, step-by-step discussion of approaches to treat the dissociative patient. It reviews the neurobiology of dissociative disorders and illuminates areas where future research may lead to more effective treatments.
Early concepts of trauma, dissociation, and the unconscious: their history and current implications. Hypnosis, dissociation, and trauma: myths, metaphors, and mechanisms. Trauma, dissociation, and hypnotizability. Dissociation and hypnotizability: a conceptual and methodological perspective on two distinct concepts. Trauma, dissociation, and somatization. Dissociative symptomatology in adult patients with histories of childhood physical and sexual abuse. Relationships between traumatic experiences and symptoms of posttraumatic stress, dissociation, and amnesia. Peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder. Treatment of dissociative disorders. Effects of flooding on memories of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. The emerging neurobiology of dissociation: implications for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Trauma, memory, and dissociation: an integrative formulation. Index.
