Dreams as a possible reflection of a dissociated self-monitoring system.
Recently, there has been a great deal of clinical and experimental interest expressed in dissociative disorders and dissociative states. Theories of mental organization and personality have been formulated as a result of this new emphasis on dissociative phenomena. Dreams may possibly be thought of as dissociative phenomena of a particular type that reflect a monitoring of and reaction to internal and external conditions within the dreamer. Experimental and/or clinical work related to hypnosis, rapid eye movement phenomena, dreams, and hemispheric specialization are discussed to support this view. Dreams are described within the context of dissociation-based theories of personality organization. Brain behavior relationships are emphasized whenever possible.
Gabel
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Department of Psychiatry, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, White Plains 10605.
D001364:Awareness; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D004325:Dreams; D004532:Ego; D006801:Humans