Psychosis, Dissociation and Trauma: Evolving Perspectives on Severe Psychopathology

by Martin J. Dorahy, Martin J. Dorahy, Ingo Schafer

An invaluable sourcebook on the complex relationship between psychosis, trauma, and dissociation, thoroughly revised and updated This revised and updated second edition of Psychosis, Trauma and Dissociation offers an important resource that takes a wide-ranging and in-depth look at the multifaceted relationship between trauma, dissociation and psychosis. The editors – leaders in their field – have drawn together more than fifty noted experts from around the world, to canvas the relevant literature from historical, conceptual, empirical and clinical perspectives. The result documents the impressive gains made over the past ten years in understanding multiple aspects of the interface between trauma, dissociation and psychosis. The historical/conceptual section clarifies the meaning of the terms dissociation, trauma and psychosis, proposes dissociation as central to the historical concepts of schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder, and considers unique development perspectives on delusions and the onset of schizophrenia. The empirical section of the text compares and contrasts psychotic and dissociative disorders from a wide range of perspectives, including phenomenology, childhood trauma, and memory and cognitive disturbances, whilst the clinical section focuses on the assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment of these disorders, along with proposals for new and novel hybrid disorders. This important Offers extensive updated coverage of the field, from all relevant perspectives Brings together in one text contributions from scholars and clinicians working in diverse geographical and theoretical areas Helps define and bring cohesion to this new and important field Features nine new chapters conceptions of trauma, dissociation and psychosis, PTSD with psychotic features, delusions and memory, trauma treatment of psychotic symptoms, and differences between the diagnostic groups on hypnotizability, memory disturbances, brain imaging, auditory verbal hallucinations and psychological testing Written for clinicians, researchers and academics in the areas of trauma, child abuse, dissociation and psychosis, but relevant for psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists working in any area, the revised second edition of Psychosis, Trauma and Dissociation makes an invaluable contribution to this important evolving field.

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health

496 pages, ebook

Published January 9, 2019

Reviews

[Joseph Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found “Psychosis, Trauma and Dissociation” to be the single most enlightening book that I have ever read on psychopathology. This book helped to confirm what I already believed, namely that the widely endorsed “medical model” of psychiatry, according to which schizophrenia is a genetically-based, biologically-derived brain disease, is a diabolically false and massively destructive fallacy. For the psychiatric profession to fail to incorporate into their practice the fact that NEARLY ALL mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, have some substantial element of psychological trauma in their etiology, borders on professional negligence. The book under review here drives home that vital outlook in numerous of its articles, submitted by professional psychiatrists who are willing to challenge prevailing psychiatric ideology.

I believe that this book should be required reading for anyone who is training to join the psychiatric profession.

For me personally, a major benefit from reading this book was that I encountered the writings and ideas of a brilliant and innovative psychiatrist, Dr. Colin A. Ross. I have already bought three of Dr. Ross’ highly informative books on DID and schizophrenia.

The book under review incited a near-revolution in my personal struggles toward psychological health. This book is directed principally at the psychiatric professions, but I as a struggling and searching layman found this book to be overwhelmingly enlightening and most vital to my well-being. My final proclamation for this review is: Let psychiatrists wake up to reality and become enlightened to the fact that the modern “medical model” of psychiatry is gravely deficient and sorely in need of rectification.

[corvuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. Great, fascinating, and in-depth overview of the overlap between psychosis, trauma, and dissociation. Will change your worldview on voice-hearing and delusions, not as pointless noise but as understandable reactions to trauma. I loved learning about all the overlap between psychotic and dissociative disorders. There are a few points I disagree with and a couple authors I dislike as people (Ross and van der Hart, namely) but that's to be expected in a book as dense as this. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the subject for personal reasons or anyone treating this patient population.

[Lore LongSoulSystem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó que incluyeran al menos una persona con experiencia vivida.