The Wandering Mind: Understanding Dissociation from Daydreams to Disorders

by John A. Biever, Maryann Karinch

Have you ever had a daydream? If so, you've had a dissociative experience. The same is true if you've had an out-of-body moment or thought you were somewhere else as you drifted off to sleep. These are seemingly harmless and temporary dissociations. But further down the spectrum of such experiences, you find people actually traveling to a strange city and suddenly not remembering how they got there. You also find people with multiple personalities and other disordered thinking.

In The Wandering Mind, Dr. John Biever and co-author Maryann Karinch use the stories of people all along the spectrum of dissociative conditions--from those who are "perfectly normal" to those diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder--to expose the natures and functions of dissociation. Their lives and stories serve as a way of exploring chronic dissociation and the trek back to good mental health.

The authors look closely at what signs and symptoms indicate normal, everyday dissociation, and those that indicate a more serious problem. While daydreamers may not meet the criteria for diagnosis, trauma victims who relive their nightmares in real time may require both diagnosis and treatment. The authors also delve into the phenomenon of deliberate dissociation, such as Buddhist monks in meditation. And they take a close look at the process of diagnosing a dissociative disorder as well as factors that put patients on the road to reintegration and recovery.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

152 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The more we tolerate the idiosyncrasy in our fellow man, the less we mistake it as mental illness - and the less mental illness there will be. Look for the sanity of the people in your life, and you will find it" (p. 130) I think this book adequately speaks to and embodies this quote.

I put this book down on first attempt. I thought it lacking in knowledge of dissociation or so-termed disorders, and the approach obscure (some random case study on the infant whisperer, Dr Saroj Parida and weird structuring of psyche by Appolonian-Odyssean-Dionysian lines).

Second time around though Biever's deep understanding and compassion for those experiencing structural dissociation was evident. More than just a hashing of symptoms and client experience as the majority of books on dissociation, he provides an overview of the complications individuals have in diagnoses and treatment and in everyday interactions with those around them - the paradoxes of such psychic structure.

The tracking of Parida's story throughout the book gave this a more human feel to content that often remains 'other' to the reader. It's a messy case. The reader can be left questioning the validity of the occurrence of dissociation, as so often is the case with this 'disorder'. But this is the reality of mind, it's workings remaining somewhat mysterious, unknowable - I like that Biever doesn't try to 'solve' this conflict. Tracking Parida, including his time in jail, perhaps expands the context of experience, allowing the reader to appreciate an individual's journey, labels aside.

The take homes':

- Dr Dan Hughes acronym of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) for working with clients (this really applies to working with/relating to any individual, perhaps obviously). Biever throws in an L (Love) in the end - PLACE, showing his deep humanity.

- The ongoing question of the relationship between self-reflection and dissociation - one and the same? Beiver unfortunately comments on this in the epilogue, and thus doesn't go into it.

- Calls for a greater connection between our mental health and legal system - believing that our capacity to do this as a culture will be a sign of our true evolution and progression.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a phd candidate in clinical psychology researching mind-wandering, I was really interested in this book and I really wanted to enjoy it. I couldn't finish this book even though I usually at least skim through the rest of any book.

Dr. Biever's lack of citations made me feel uneasy--I questioned whether most of the book was his opinion touted as fact. (I was mildly amused that one Wikipedia mention was cited.) I was also confused at some points, for example, when he explained the DSM axes: was this for professionals, who should already know these basics, if qualified to do psychotherapy? Or was this for laypeople, whose understanding of the axes may have limited value? If the latter, he needs to clarify the purpose of describing DSM axes, especially axes that are mostly unrelated to dissociative disorders.

Anyway, I began to take issue when I felt that his perspective was very skewed and that he misunderstood cognitive-behavioural therapy. I'm all for expressing opinion IF they are not stated as truth, especially in a book like this. Particularly, he said the most effective CBT occurred when therapists inject warmth and empathy (um, the basis of any therapy), and that "unfortunately, sometimes psychotherapists are attracted to CBT out of discomfort with their own emotions, if not those of others". I can keep ranting about this point but I'll just say: whatever group of people he bases this view on is VASTLY different from mine; hence, if subjective, please say so.

I finally refused to keep reading after he argues for "practice-based" over "evidence-based" treatment--an idea which, unfortunately, summarized my experience of the book. I do believe Dr. Biever has the best intentions here and he seems to truly care for his patients. But his book just seemed like he wanted to spew out his practice experiences and successes (i.e., Saroj Parida) without poring over the actual evidence out there.

[❄Elsa Frost❄ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book on healthy dissociation and dissociative disorders and, so far, better than The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization.

May have more commentary after reading the latter.

[Reader]

Accessible overview of DID and mental health issues as they interact with varying levels of dissociation. Thoughtful and succinct commentary on how society can assist those with harmful dissociation and provide support for these individuals to integrate with themselves and into society.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book heavily talked about the very real condition of DID, but I give it 2 stars because the author neglected to discuss much about less serious forms of dissociation, which is what I had opened the book to learn about

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

The structure of this book was odd, and it focused more on dissociative identity disorder (DID) than implied by the title. After a brief discussion of trance-prone people, hypnotism and a scale from Apollo and Dionysus, the book basically all centred around Dr Saroj Parida's DID and how jail has made him a better person. I thought there would be more about daydreaming, dissociative amnesia and fugue states.

[Terri Farris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and clear read