Good (relatively Academic) Book On Treatment For Dissociative Disorders

[BlueOrange]

I've been readingThe Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization - as you might guess, it's intended for a clinical audience. It has, however, really helped me to feel like I understand what happened to my mind, and what is happening to my mind. The detached 'just the facts' presentation really helped me to take in the material without being distracted; although there are plenty of case studies in the book, and some of the case studies presented are horrifying.

If (like me) you feel a need to understand the mechanisms at work, and want to have a more precise and meaningful language that differentiates between trauma responses, I reckon it's pretty useful.

In the language of the book, a traumatic event can cause a separation between the 'public facing' personality (an Apparently Normal Part) and a part that is trapped in the event (an Emotional Part). In a straightforward case of PTSD, there is one Apparently Normal Part, and one Emotional Part. Multiple traumas may cause there to be more than one Emotional Part. Early/chronic trauma may result in there being more than one Apparently Normal Part.

I think that a meaningful language for describing complexity is a greater asset than simply using the word 'complex', and I think that this book is a step forward in that regard.

 

[Hope4Now]

check out Shimmerz thread on Structural Dissociation https://www.myptsd.com/threads/structural-dissociation.50555/
and this website Link Removed

I read the book after all the talk on the thread about structural dissociation.
I also am reading an older book called The Stranger in the Mirror. You might find that helpful. It is not nearly as academic/clinical, and it actually has a lot of helpful strategies in it.

 

[Born to Run]

I did not read the book, but I do know that the authors are not relatively academic, but the top notch researchers/scientists on this topic in Europe. If you are a trauma therapist in Europe, you are almost required to attend their trainings, to be respected. And I am Dutch and so are the authors :)

 

[BlueOrange]

I do know that the authors are not relatively academic

I think the key thing here is 'relative to what'? Relative to most academic work, the book is accessible and easy to read. Relative to pop-psychology and self-help, it's... more towards the academic. My point is that the book is a clinical reference, and does demand a focussed intellectual effort to read it.

 

[greenleaf]

Two of the three authors of "Haunted Self..." also co-wrote a more recent book along with a new cowriter, "Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training for Patients and Therapists." The parts I've read so far are excellent.

Serious cheers and immense thanks for these Dutch folks and all the other people who are really getting somewhere with these issues.

p.s. I loved visiting the Netherlands... hoping to again...

 

[Recovery4Me]

did not read the book, but I do know that the authors are not relatively academic, but the top notch researchers/scientists on this topic in Europe.

@BlueOrange The whole sentence makes it easier to understand, relatively.:clown: Clarity of one's point is always commendable.

I have noticed through research in psychology however, science & researchers are normally spearheaded within the Dutch la creme via PhD's academics. As well, I found answers to several major questions from the work done within that country such as involving core values. :tup:

Ps...thank you, everyone for the great tips on books @Hope4Now for yet another set of awesome links!

 

[Born to Run]

@Recovery4Me It is interesting you mention that, as my Swiss therapist has brought this up too, and we could not really find a reason why this is the case. BTW Bessel van der Kolk, although at Harvard is also Dutch. I just found an interesting paper on 'Psychotraumatology in the Netherlands' from 2013: http://www.ejpt.net/index.php/ejpt/article/view/20832

The abstract:

The contribution to psychotrauma literature from Dutch authors has a long tradition. The relatively high lifetime prevalence of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not unique for the Netherlands and does not fully explain the interest in trauma and its consequences. In this overview of psychotraumatology in the Netherlands, we will discuss some of the key events and processes that contribute to the current interest. We outlined the historical basis and development of the field in the Netherlands, including the impact of World War II, the effects of major man-made or natural disasters, engagement in military conflicts, as well as smaller scale traumatic events like sexual abuse and traffic accidents. The liberal and open culture may have reduced stigma to trauma, while other sociocultural aspects may have contributed to increased prevalence. Finally, we describe Dutch psychotraumatology today and how history and culture have shaped the current scientific basis.

@greenleaf I am glad you liked visiting the Netherlands. I like visiting too, but not living :eek: It is so overpopulated that it is not funny anymore, but culture and people are cool. Switzerland is great for living, but with culture and people not so cool :geek:

 

[Hope4Now]

Here's another link that you all might find helpful. It has come up repeatedly in my web searches and is a treasure trove of free information. It is also a recommended resource from ISSTD: http://www.trauma-pages.com/trauma.php

 

[Recovery4Me]

@Born to Run & @Hope4Now :hug::tup: @greenleaf hugs as well- if you accept

Thank you! I am savoring these links + additionally suggested books to accompany my lunch. I will get back to you, kindly on the added info!! I must dig into my other computer to add some more as well. And yes, Born to Run...I research Harvard a lot and that is how I discovered Dutch spearheading as well. I was humbled and wondered why it was not mentioned on our news to encourage further research. The UN has used some of the Dutch findings as well for conflict resolution over core values which includes contact or touch within culture.

*Just honorable mention - my family adores many aspects of Switzerland, the culture, the cattle herding, people and food. (Lest we have a member/guest from that area.);)

Oops sorry for the thread jack or excitement...I deleted some of my entry, as I thought it was another thread. But I am reading everyone's suggestions. Hat tipped to author of the thread @BlueOrange. (hugs too if you accept)
New computer screen and OS learning...

 

[Born to Run]

Yes to :hug: and thank you! Interesting what you mention about conflict resolution over core values. I am not familiar with those findings. I think the fact of being a tourist in a country versus living in a country makes all the difference. The country has four official national languages, which is interesting for quite a small country, and a mountainous country often has a closed culture by history and that is what they seem to have in their genes. As they have remained out of the EU, it is an extremely traditional conservative culture with extreme outliers. Within Europe there is euthanasia tourism to Switzerland as that is allowed by law, while in all other countries it is still forbidden by law. Another outlier is medical prosititution; if someone with a mental/physical handicap would need sex for their wellbeing, you can get a prostitute on doctors prescription. Of course, they have a fancy name for such a service, but I find it fascinating to find this in Switzerland and not in the progressive Netherlands.

:hug:

 

[Recovery4Me]

@Born to Run Luv the avatar. Thank you for the share. My son and DIL (the little adventurers) had not offered such exciting details. However, my one of my dearest memories from Switzerland as a child was procuring a rather detailed sculptured chocolate Easter Bunny and a traditional dress from my maternal grandmother (who was German...lol).

To those lovely posters... I have placed this link within my diary and will dutifully study each link in due course. Thank you for being such a refined group:hug: and thank you @BlueOrange for the educational advancement thread.

 

[BlueOrange]

Hello mods - I'd really like this moved back into the 'Complex' subforum. The book goes into a lot of detail to describe PTSD and other (more complex) diagnoses. It's not clear to me at all why this thread was moved.