Trauma, Torture and Dissociation: A Psychoanalytic View

Understanding trauma is central in this book, for both a practical and theoretical challenge from a relational psychoanalytical perspective, with the view that childhood trauma of a patient is a dual narration along with the developmental processes as a factor creating resilient qualities. The theoretical material is presented in close conjunction with clinical data in the form of vignettes and case studies to illustrate the key points. Presentation of vignettes and case studies focuses on the multidimensional approach examining the contributions of psychoanalysis, emphasizing the act of dissociation (healthy and unhealthy). Specific attention is given to the internalization of the m/other/object as the “listening other”, and the dissociated part/s that may result in an over idealized yet feared object. The final discussion focuses on how patients in therapy become able to transform fears into “psychic space” and breaking away from vulnerability, by developing a better “sense of self”, as the result of having the therapists as the “listening other”. The central theory of psychoanalysis as a form of treatment that enhances resilience in relation in working with patient experienced trauma considered, by the mean of assessing relationship change in transference as an objective method of determining patience psychical alteration.