Music therapy and the treatment of trauma-induced dissociative disorders

摘要: The western medical model has helped to perpetuate a cultural “dissociation” by splitting the mind from body in theory and treatment of illness. Fortunately, recent trends healing suggest shift perspective toward more holistic view. Scientific study indicated that disease is not caused purely external agents but disturbance complex interrelation between forces adaptation process organism (Selye, 1956). Research studying body’s “fight or flight” response correlated prolonged exposure inadequate “management” stress with variety physical ailments. also number coping mechanisms take over automatically, adapting psyche for survival through trauma. Severe persistent trauma can “lock” brain into mode long after ceased (Herman, 1992). As body, chronic state may exist which what was once an becomes frozen pattern. Dissociative disorders be viewed as constellations such adaptations now present themselves absence In his early studies on hysteria, Freud concluded played role etiology mental illness (Breuer & Freud, 1895). He discovered symptoms associated hysteria were often symbolic representations childhood had been repressed. later came believe actual intrapsychic, involving conflict around fantasies attributed instinctual wishes. Almost century later, are referring us back Freud’s earlier regarding incidence its particular, dissociative have related sexual abuse (Chu Dill, 1990). Diagnostic Statistical Manual Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM III-R) lists predisposing factor development Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), noting that, “in nearly all cases disorder preceded (often sexual) another form severe emotional ’ It currently theorized defenses used psychically manage overwhelming experiences Age level maturation individual at time traumatization appear influence dissociation takes. Adult tends result cognitive recall events affective sense dissociated. Childhood results amnesia (Herman Shatzow, 1987). Clinically, any variations seen type, manner aspect experience dissociated, effectively does split parts presumably manageable. if normal channel integrated processing flooded, causing overflow diverted various tributaries. adult appears “channels” available traumatic material distributed. A child, other hand, developed sufficiently even begin integrate