The Conceptual Unity of Dissociation: A Philosophical Argument

1989

A century ago there occurred a peak ofinterest in dissociation and the dissociative disorders, then labeled hysteria. The most important scientific and clinical investigator of this subject was Pierre Janet (1859-1947), whose early body of work is reviewed here. The evolution of his dissociation theory and its major principles are traced throughout his writings. Janet's introduction of the term "subconscious" and his concept of the existence of consciousness outside ofpersonal awareness are explained. The viability and relevance ofdissociation as the underlyingphenomenon in a wide range oj disorders is presented. It is proposed that Janet's theory and methodology ofpsychological analysis and dynamic psychotherapy are cogent and relevant for today's students and practitioners.

Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1989

Although the concept of dissociation had been described earlier, Pierre Janet was the first to show clearly and systematically how it is the most direct psychological defense against overwhelming traumatic experiences. He demonstrated that dissociative phenomena play an important role in widely divergent post-traumatic stress responses which he included under the 19th-century diagnosis of hysteria. His dissociation theory is outlined here as a background for Janet's specific studies of trauma, it is based on nine concepts developed or elaborated by Janet: psychological automatism, consciousness, subconsciousness, narrowed field of consciousness, dissociation, amnesia, suggestibility, fixed idea, and emotion.

Trauma Psychology News, 2019

2016

"Controversy about dissociation and the dissociative disorders (DD) has existed since the beginning of modern psychiatry and psychology. Even among professionals, beliefs about dissociation/DD often are not based on the scientific literature. Multiple lines of evidence support a powerful relationship between dissociation/DD and psychological trauma, especially cumulative and/ or early life trauma. Skeptics counter that dissociation produces fantasies of trauma, and that DD are artefactual conditions produced by iatrogenesis and/or socio-cultural factors. Almost no research or clinical data support this view" (page 229, Loewenstein, R. (2018). Dissociation debates: everything you know is wrong. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience , 20 (3): 229-242. Available at: www.dialogues-cns.org. (Dr K Johansson Blight is not an author of this article but recommend its reading).

Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2006

Exploring Dissociation. We have chosen a theme of exploration for this volume because successful efforts by dissociation researchers and theorists embody the spirit and skills of explorers. When envisioning an explorer embarking on a trek, one imagines important requisite skills and attitudes. Explorers must be well-grounded in history, drawing on the experience, maps, and map-making tools of those who travelled before. They require curiosity and compassion to motivate their efforts and temper their interpretation of new discoveries and patterning of new knowledge. Indeed, explorers must be open to surprises and to re-evaluating their maps, map-making tools, and travel plans. Thus, exploration is a transactional rather than linear process: new explorations shed new light on previous discoveries and ideas, just as previous ideas affect the development of new plans for future exploration. As dissociation has garnered greater attention, explorations seeking to describe and understand dissociative phenomena have emerged rapidly in both research and treatment literatures. This surge follows a long history of clinicians and researchers seeking simply to evidence the existence of dissociative phenomena. Early endeavors to document dissociative phenomena were often based on case study descriptions and philosophical musings (see Rieber, 2002 for historical review). Remarkably, many of the ideas of the early theorists who grappled with

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2015

Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2011

Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2011

Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1991