Dissociation (psychology): Difference between revisions
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:''This article is about the psychological state of dissociation. For other uses, see [[Dissociation]].'' |
:''This article is about the psychological state of dissociation. For other uses, see [[Dissociation]].'' |
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'''Dissociation''' a state of acute mental decompensation in which certain [[thought]]s, [[emotion]]s, [[sensation]]s, and/or [[memory|memories]] are compartmentalized because they are too overwhelming for the conscious mind to integrate. This subconscious strategy for managing powerful negative emotions is sometimes referred to as "[[splitting]]", as these thoughts, emotions, sensations, and/or memories are "split off" from the [[Ego Integrity|integrated ego]]. This use of the word "splitting" here should not be confused with references to splitting mentioned with regard to [[Borderline personality disorder|borderline personality disorder]] or family relations theory. |
'''Dissociation''' is a state of acute mental decompensation in which certain [[thought]]s, [[emotion]]s, [[sensation]]s, and/or [[memory|memories]] are compartmentalized because they are too overwhelming for the conscious mind to integrate. This subconscious strategy for managing powerful negative emotions is sometimes referred to as "[[splitting]]", as these thoughts, emotions, sensations, and/or memories are "split off" from the [[Ego Integrity|integrated ego]]. This use of the word "splitting" here should not be confused with references to splitting mentioned with regard to [[Borderline personality disorder|borderline personality disorder]] or family relations theory. |
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The [[France|French]] [[psychiatrist]] [[Pierre Janet]] (1859-1947) initially coined the term splitting in his book ''L'Automatisme psychologique''. There, he emphasized its role as a defensive mechanism employed in response to [[psychological trauma]]. While he considered dissociation an initially effective [[defence mechanism]] that protects the individual psychologically from the impact of overwhelming traumatic events, a habitual tendency to dissociate would likely be a marker of a more pronounced [[psychopathology]]. |
The [[France|French]] [[psychiatrist]] [[Pierre Janet]] (1859-1947) initially coined the term splitting in his book ''L'Automatisme psychologique''. There, he emphasized its role as a defensive mechanism employed in response to [[psychological trauma]]. While he considered dissociation an initially effective [[defence mechanism]] that protects the individual psychologically from the impact of overwhelming traumatic events, a habitual tendency to dissociate would likely be a marker of a more pronounced [[psychopathology]]. |
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Revision as of 00:11, 13 April 2007
- This article is about the psychological state of dissociation. For other uses, see Dissociation.
Dissociation is a state of acute mental decompensation in which certain thoughts, emotions, sensations, and/or memories are compartmentalized because they are too overwhelming for the conscious mind to integrate. This subconscious strategy for managing powerful negative emotions is sometimes referred to as "splitting", as these thoughts, emotions, sensations, and/or memories are "split off" from the integrated ego. This use of the word "splitting" here should not be confused with references to splitting mentioned with regard to borderline personality disorder or family relations theory.
The French psychiatrist Pierre Janet (1859-1947) initially coined the term splitting in his book L'Automatisme psychologique. There, he emphasized its role as a defensive mechanism employed in response to psychological trauma. While he considered dissociation an initially effective defence mechanism that protects the individual psychologically from the impact of overwhelming traumatic events, a habitual tendency to dissociate would likely be a marker of a more pronounced psychopathology.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition considers symptoms such as depersonalization, derealization, and psychogenic amnesia to be core features of dissociative disorders. However, in the normal population mild dissociative experiences are highly prevalent, with 60% to 65% of the respondents indicating that they have had dissociative experiences at least some of the time. [1]
Attention to dissociation as a clinical feature is growing in recent years as a concomitant to knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder, and as neuroimaging research and population studies show its relevance. Dissociation most often makes the news with regards to soldiers' responses to wartime stress, rape victims with amnesia for details, and in occasional criminal trials where the question of whether a person with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) can be responsible for his or her actions.
Perhaps the most widely-known form of dissociative disorder is DID, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). While MPD is the most severe form of dissociative disorders, it is not accepted by all mental health professionals as genuine (see Multiple personality controversy).
Psychoactive substances can often induce a state of tempory dissociation. Substances with dissociative properties include ketamine, nitrous oxide, tiletamine, DXM and PCP.[citation needed]
See also
- Altered state of consciousness
- Dissociative amnesia
- Emotional detachment
- Fugue state
- Recovered memory therapy