The Inner World of Trauma: Archetypal Defences of the Personal Spirit

Psychoanalysis had its origins in a study of trauma and the 'rediscovery' of childhood physical and sexual abuse has again revived psychiatric interest in dissociative disorders resulting from trauma. In this throught-provoking book Donald E. Kalsched draws on his own clinical work to show the value of Jung's insights into the inner world of the psyche in treating such patients, especially those suffering from multiple personality disorder and post-traumatic stress. At the same time he proposes some revisions to Jung's theories in response to the findings of researchers and clinicians approaching the problem from different theoretical perspectives such as object relations and self psychology.