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Whilst other books on the subject of dissociation have provided us with information on specific topics, the authors have used their extensive clinical background to share their experience of dissociative identity disorder (DID) phenomena with an inclusive approach in their new book that enhances our knowledge of this subject written for both survivors and clinicians.
Boon, Steele, and Van Der Hart provide encyclopaedic coverage in a very informative and detailed manner. This book offers an excellent introduction to the understanding of DID and how to help people who have the condition. The book is comprehensive and up to date. It is accessible to both clinicians and survivors and explains the terminology of dissociation without much of the clinical jargon that has previously created a wall between us (clinicians) and them (survivors).
The book empathically and sensitively acknowledges and validates the richness of the internal world of the survivor, which the much-traumatised individual has had to resort to in order to survive. It provides the survivor with a manual, teaching management strategies of how to make good use of their internal world and its imaginary resourcefulness. It covers thoroughly themes such as safety, memories, triggers, and emotions such as shame and guilt that are all so poignant and play a big part in the understanding of trauma and dissociation.
I particularly enjoyed reading the section on integration (p. 7) in the first chapter which can often be such a problematic area of treatment. The therapist often gets caught in double bind situations and has to walk on egg shells, when