El yo atormentado: disociación estructural y el tratamiento de la traumatización crónica (Serie Norton sobre neurobiología interpersonal)

Why The Haunted Self is essential for your practice?

This work is a benchmark in the field of complex trauma. Written by Onno van der Hart, Ellert R. S. Nijenhuis, and Kathy Steele, it presents the structural dissociation model, a theory that has transformed the understanding and treatment of patients with chronic traumatization. The book integrates neurobiology, psychopathology, and therapeutic techniques, offering a solid framework for clinical practice.

Structural dissociation posits that the personality is divided into apparently normal parts (ANP) and emotional parts (EP) in response to traumatic experiences. This approach allows for a systematic addressing of self-fragmentation. The authors provide clear guidelines for assessment and intervention in three phases: stabilization, treatment of traumatic memories, and personality integration.

For the professional, this work is indispensable because it connects theory with real cases and applicable strategies. It not only explains the phenomenon but also guides clinical decision-making. It is a text that becomes a consultation companion for those working with dissociative disorders and complex trauma.

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The book is structured around key concepts such as structural dissociation, action and experience, and action systems. It explores the different types of dissociative parts and their origin in childhood or subsequent traumatic events.

Among the topics it addresses are:

• Theoretical foundations of structural dissociation and its empirical evidence.
• Clinical assessment using instruments such as the Somatic Dissociation Scale and the Structural Dissociation Interview.
• Phased treatment: from safety and stabilization to final integration.
• The role of the therapist in containing and accompanying the patient.
• Detailed clinical cases illustrating the application of the model.

The appendices include practical tools, such as interview guides and questionnaires, that facilitate implementation in daily practice.

Who this book is for

This manual is aimed at psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and advanced mental health students. It is especially useful for those specializing in trauma, dissociative disorders, and dissociative identity disorder. It is also a valuable reference for researchers interested in the psychopathology of trauma.

While its approach is clinical, the style is accessible to readers with basic training in psychology. No deep prior knowledge of dissociation is required, as the text introduces concepts progressively.

What readers think

Readers highlight the theoretical depth and clinical utility of the work. Many professionals consider it essential reading for understanding structural dissociation and its approach. Its integrative approach and practical guidelines for treatment are particularly valued. Although some note that the content can be dense, they describe it as highly informative and transformative for clinical practice.

Frequently asked questions about structural dissociation

What is structural dissociation? It is a theoretical model that describes how the personality fragments into parts in response to chronic trauma. These parts include an apparently normal part (which functions in daily life) and emotional parts (which contain traumatic memories and affects).

Is this book suitable for patients? Although it is aimed at professionals, some patients with dissociation may find its reading useful to understand their experience. It is recommended to accompany it with therapy.

Does it include updated information? Originally published in 2006, this text remains a fundamental reference. For more recent updates, it can be complemented with subsequent literature.

Technical details

Format: Hardcover. Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology). Weight: approximately 826 g. Dimensions: 24.4 x 16.5 x 3.6 cm.