Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist, author, and researcher, has dedicated his career to understanding post-traumatic stress and its profound impacts on the human body and mind. His seminal work, “The Body Keeps the Score,” has become a cornerstone in trauma studies, offering deep insights into how trauma affects our bodies and brains.
In this short video clip, Dr. Van Der Kolk delves into the complex experience of dissociation, a common response to trauma. Dissociation can feel like a detachment from reality, where individuals may feel disconnected from their bodies, thoughts, and surroundings. This protective mechanism helps individuals cope with overwhelming stress or trauma, but it can also lead to significant challenges in daily life.
Who is Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk?
Dr. Van Der Kolk has been a leading figure in trauma research since the 1970s. He is a professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and the president of the Trauma Research Foundation in Brookline, Massachusetts. His extensive work and research have made significant contributions to our understanding of trauma and its effects.
What is Dissociation?
Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. It is often described as feeling detached from oneself or the world, as if observing life from outside one’s body. This state can range from mild detachment to severe disconnection from reality.
The Experience of Dissociation
In the video, Dr. Van Der Kolk explains that dissociation can manifest in various ways:
- Depersonalisation: Feeling as though you are an outside observer of your body or thoughts.
- Derealisation: Experiencing the world around you as unreal or dreamlike.
- Amnesia: Inability to recall important personal information, often related to traumatic events.
- Identity Confusion: Uncertainty about who you are, which can be accompanied by a sense of distortion in time and space.
Why Does Dissociation Occur?
Dissociation serves as a protective mechanism, allowing individuals to distance themselves from unbearable pain or trauma. While it can be a useful short-term strategy, persistent dissociation can interfere with daily functioning and relationships.
Healing from Dissociation
Understanding dissociation is the first step towards healing. Therapeutic approaches that focus on trauma recovery, such as Somatic Experiencing, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), and mindfulness practices, can help individuals reconnect with their bodies and integrate their experiences.
Further Exploration
For those interested in learning more about trauma and dissociation, Dr. Van Der Kolk’s book, “The Body Keeps the Score,” is an essential read. It provides a comprehensive look at how trauma affects the body and mind and offers practical guidance for recovery.
Watch the Video
To gain deeper insights into the experience of dissociation, watch the accompanying video where Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk describes this phenomenon in his own words.
