The Haunted Self

1. Trauma's Core: Structural Dissociation of Personality

Trauma-related structural dissociation, then, is a deficiency in the cohesiveness and flexibility of the personality structure.

Division of the Self. The essence of trauma isn't just the event itself, but the resulting division within the personality. This "structural dissociation" creates distinct parts, each holding different aspects of the experience. It's not a complete split, but a lack of cohesion, hindering the individual's ability to function as a unified whole.

Action Systems. These divisions often follow evolutionary "fault lines," separating systems geared towards daily life from those designed for defense. One part might focus on seeking connection and normalcy, while another remains trapped in the trauma response. This rigid separation prevents integration and perpetuates suffering.

Levels of Dissociation. Structural dissociation exists on a spectrum, from primary (a simple division into "apparently normal" and "emotional" parts) to tertiary (multiple parts on both sides). Understanding this complexity is crucial for tailoring effective treatment strategies.

2. Understanding the ANP: The "Apparently Normal" Facade

Survivors as ANP are fixated in trying to go on with normal life, thus are directed by action systems for daily life (e.g., exploration, caretaking, attachment), while avoiding traumatic memories.

The Mask of Normality. The Apparently Normal Part (ANP) strives to maintain a semblance of everyday functioning, focusing on work, relationships, and responsibilities. However, this "normality" is often a fragile facade, built on avoidance and suppression of traumatic memories.

Limited Mental Efficiency. While seemingly functional, the ANP operates with reduced mental efficiency, struggling to integrate the full range of human experience. This can manifest as emotional numbness, difficulty with intimacy, and a sense of meaninglessness.

Avoidance as a Strategy. The ANP's primary goal is to keep the "emotional" part (EP) at bay, employing various strategies to suppress traumatic memories and associated feelings. This avoidance, while providing temporary relief, ultimately perpetuates the dissociation.

3. The EP: Embodiment of Unprocessed Trauma

As EP, they are fixated in the action system (e.g., defense, sexuality) or subsystems (e.g., hypervigilance, flight, fight) that were activated at the time of traumatization.

Trapped in the Past. The Emotional Part (EP) embodies the raw, unprocessed trauma, remaining fixated on the events and emotions of the past. This part experiences the world through the lens of threat, driven by defensive action systems.

Limited Scope and Function. Unlike the ANP, the EP typically has a limited scope, function, and sense of self. It's often stuck in a specific moment or aspect of the trauma, unable to fully engage with the present.

Vehement Emotions. The EP is characterized by "vehement" emotions – overwhelming, dysregulating feelings that are not adaptive. These emotions, such as terror, rage, and despair, further restrict the EP's ability to function and integrate.

4. The Janetian Psychology of Action: A Roadmap to Integration

The highest level of action tendencies an individual can attain in a given moment is called his or her mental level.

Actions Shape Reality. Actions, both mental and behavioral, are the building blocks of our experience. By understanding the nature of adaptive and maladaptive actions, we can guide trauma survivors towards healing.

Hierarchy of Action Tendencies. Janet's framework outlines a hierarchy of action tendencies, from basic reflexes to complex, creative endeavors. Trauma often results in fixation at lower levels, limiting the individual's ability to engage in adaptive behavior.

Mental Level. The highest level of action tendencies an individual can attain at a given moment is their "mental level," determined by available energy and mental efficiency. Raising this level is a key goal of trauma therapy.

5. Synthesis and Realization: Cornerstones of Healing

A major integrative mental action is synthesis, in which we bind (link) and differentiate a range of internal and external experiences within a moment and across time.

Two Pillars of Integration. Synthesis and realization are the two major types of integrative mental actions. Synthesis involves linking and differentiating experiences, while realization involves developing awareness of reality and adapting to it.

Synthesis: Binding and Differentiating. This process allows us to connect and distinguish sensory perceptions, movements, thoughts, and emotions. It's essential for creating a coherent sense of self and understanding the world around us.

Realization: Accepting Reality. This higher-level process involves developing awareness of reality, accepting it, and adapting to it. It requires integrating experiences with a personal sense of ownership and grounding oneself firmly in the present.

6. Phobias as Barriers: Maintaining Dissociation

Traditionally, phobias have been relegated to the category of anxiety disorders, and have been understood to be directed to external cues… However, phobias can also pertain to inner phenomena, to mental actions such as particular thoughts, feelings, fantasies, sensations, and memories.

Beyond External Fears. Trauma survivors often develop phobias not only of external stimuli but also of internal experiences, such as thoughts, feelings, and memories. These phobias maintain structural dissociation by preventing integration.

The Core Phobia: Traumatic Memory. The central phobia in trauma-related dissociation is the avoidance of fully processing and realizing the traumatic experience. This fear drives the development of other phobias, such as the fear of emotions, dissociative parts, and intimacy.

Breaking the Cycle. By understanding the learning principles involved in the maintenance of structural dissociation, therapists can help patients overcome these phobias and begin to integrate their fragmented selves.

7. Phase-Oriented Treatment: A Structured Path to Recovery

The major treatment approaches for complex PTSD and dissociative disorders are typically phase-oriented, are considered the current standard of care, and include the following phases: (1) stabilization and symptom reduction; (2) treatment of traumatic memories; and (3) personality integration and rehabilitation.

A Three-Stage Journey. Phase-oriented treatment provides a structured approach to healing from chronic trauma, progressing through stabilization, trauma processing, and integration. This phased approach allows for a gradual and manageable journey towards recovery.

Phase 1: Building a Foundation. This initial phase focuses on establishing safety, reducing symptoms, and improving daily functioning. It's about building a solid foundation of skills and resources before tackling the more challenging work of trauma processing.

Phases 2 & 3: Processing and Integration. Subsequent phases involve processing traumatic memories and integrating the fragmented parts of the self. The ultimate goal is to achieve a cohesive and adaptive personality, capable of engaging fully in life.

8. The Therapist's Role: Empathy, Structure, and Self-Awareness

The overall aim of therapists’ actions is to raise the patient’s mental level, and to improve his or her mental and relational skills in this context.

More Than a Technician. The therapist's role extends beyond simply applying techniques. It requires empathy, understanding, and a deep commitment to supporting the patient's journey.

Raising the Mental Level. The therapist's primary goal is to help the patient raise their mental level, improving their ability to process experiences and engage in adaptive actions. This involves fostering both mental energy and mental efficiency.

Self-Awareness is Key. Therapists must also be aware of their own emotional responses and potential countertransference issues. By maintaining self-awareness, they can avoid imposing their own unresolved issues on the patient and provide a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.

Last updated: February 23, 2025