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Somatoform Dissociation: Phenomena, Measurement, and Theoretical Issues
The first comprehensive theory of somatoform dissociation. Expanding the definition of dissociation in psychiatry, Nijenhuis presents a summary of the somatoform components of dissociation-how sensory and motor functions are affected by dissociative disorders. Founded in the current view of mind-body integration, this book is essential reading for all mental health professionals engaged in the diagnosis, treatment, and study of dissociative disorders, PTSD, and other trauma-related psychiatric disorders.
254 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
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September 1, 2024
This book was quite interesting as someone who simply is trying to teach herself about dissociative disorders due to the lack of knowledgeable therapists out there.
I was recommended to try reading works by ERS Nijenhuis, as he goes very deep into this topic. I am pleasantly glad to say that this book, despite it being published in 1999, is full of interesting information that still stays relevant to this day.
He goes into the topic of somatoform dissociation, which the idea that there are "positive" (EX: such as feeling stimuli that is not there) and "negative" ( physical stimuli being taken away- analgesia, the darkening of visual information, difficulty moving your limbs, ect) that a person will experience during episodes of heavy dissociation & flashbacks. This was quite new for its time and controversial. (Even to this day, in the 22nd century, it is still controversial, but not as much as studies are proving the link between trauma and the body). Nijenhuis early in the book also explains how these ideas about psyche and soma being inseparable came from Janet Pierre in the 19th century- these symptoms were known as hysteria back then. Lots of good and interesting information in this book.
Many studies were done and gone into great detail in this book, many of which were about developing an instrument (SDQ-5 & SDQ-20) to properly measure these somatoform phenomenona and see if they were indicative of being able to assess if a person experiencing these symptoms was unique to dissociative disorders. Turns out somatoform dissociation is a much stronger indicator of a person having a dissociative disorder than just solely testing for the psychological symptoms (taking the DES, for instance.)
I admittedly am rough with reading scientific literature, but each study is broken down by the author and explained and summarized. It makes me feel eager to look at other works by Nijenhuis. A shame the books are so expensive though.. Haha. I say read the book even if you are just a layman to all of this. The vocabulary can be a bit dense if you are not used to reading about psychology research, but it is still very accessible IMO.
I was recommended to try reading works by ERS Nijenhuis, as he goes very deep into this topic. I am pleasantly glad to say that this book, despite it being published in 1999, is full of interesting information that still stays relevant to this day.
He goes into the topic of somatoform dissociation, which the idea that there are "positive" (EX: such as feeling stimuli that is not there) and "negative" ( physical stimuli being taken away- analgesia, the darkening of visual information, difficulty moving your limbs, ect) that a person will experience during episodes of heavy dissociation & flashbacks. This was quite new for its time and controversial. (Even to this day, in the 22nd century, it is still controversial, but not as much as studies are proving the link between trauma and the body). Nijenhuis early in the book also explains how these ideas about psyche and soma being inseparable came from Janet Pierre in the 19th century- these symptoms were known as hysteria back then. Lots of good and interesting information in this book.
Many studies were done and gone into great detail in this book, many of which were about developing an instrument (SDQ-5 & SDQ-20) to properly measure these somatoform phenomenona and see if they were indicative of being able to assess if a person experiencing these symptoms was unique to dissociative disorders. Turns out somatoform dissociation is a much stronger indicator of a person having a dissociative disorder than just solely testing for the psychological symptoms (taking the DES, for instance.)
I admittedly am rough with reading scientific literature, but each study is broken down by the author and explained and summarized. It makes me feel eager to look at other works by Nijenhuis. A shame the books are so expensive though.. Haha. I say read the book even if you are just a layman to all of this. The vocabulary can be a bit dense if you are not used to reading about psychology research, but it is still very accessible IMO.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review