Abstract
Dissociation has been described as one of a constellation of symptoms experienced by some survivors of complex trauma as a result of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. Though symptoms of dissociation are common in many disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder, this chapter focuses on dissociation as a common sequela of complex trauma. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) specifies that dissociation is a disruption to the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment. Dissociation is at the very heart of trauma; consequently, it is necessary as part of trauma-informed care to understand its causes and symptom presentation in addition to its clinical significance in the context of complex trauma treatment. This chapter provides a description of the role, purpose, and function of dissociation from a trauma-informed perspective. The chapter explores how dissociative experiencing can be measured within a clinical setting, utilizing the Scale of Dissociative Experiences II. Following this review of the clinical tool, this chapter explores the signs and symptoms of dissociation before considering the practice implications of working with dissociative clients. Finally, strategies to orient a client to the present moment are illustrated via clinical vignette.
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Notes
- 1.
A pseudonym has been used to preserve confidentiality.
- 2.
A pseudonym has been used to preserve confidentiality.
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O’Shea Brown, G. (2021). Dissociation. In: Healing Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Essential Clinical Social Work Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61416-4_5
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