Dreams as a Possible Reflection of a Dissociated Self-Monitoring System

Abstract

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.