Dissociation, trauma and self-harm

Abstract

The presented analytical preview considers the main approaches to the relationship between dissociation, trauma and self-harm. This relationship is functionally complex and depends on many variables. In regards to trauma dissociation and self-harm are (1) defense mechanisms, activating to traumatic cues; (2) destructive pathological self-regulatory modes. Meantime functional links between dissociation and self-harm reveal two tendencies: anti-dissociation (regaining control) and dissociation-inducing (rejecting one’s feelings). Dissociation is widely considered a mediator between trauma and self-harm. At the same time psychological mechanisms, such as emotion regulation and body rejection, exert significant influence on pathological post-traumatic development. We discuss the psychopathological aspects of the links between trauma, dissociation and self-harm in borderline personality and eating disorders. We also take note of the gender- and age-related peculiarities of these issues.