Our new nomenclature, DSM-IV, has new diagnoses and new symptoms in the criteria for these, and dissociation figures more prominently than in DSM-III. But this book goes far beyond such descriptive classifications. The wide range of phenomena that could be labeled as part of a set called dissociative experiences are considered in relation to possible etiologies. Biological, social, and psychological aspects of causation are considered and, above all, the linkages that may be possible between each realm of determining influences. It is this kind of multifaceted rethinking of even our basis for describing mental events and social behaviors that can start a new era of scientific study of the cause of psychiatric signs and symptoms. Join in the dialogue: reading this book is warmly recommended!—Mardi J. Horowitz, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco

For those trying to understand the processes leading to dissociation, this book provides a valuable overview of knowledge to date of the cognitive, sociocultural, psychometric, and physiological aspects of dissociation, as well as descriptions and definitions of the varying phenomenology of dissociation. I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in the topic of dissociation.—Judith Hammerling Gold, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., Past President, American College of Psychiatrists