The Journal of Animal Consciousness Vol 1, Issue 2 Vol 1 Issue 2 | Page 31

back following a stressful event)
Exhaustion.

and 3)

Indeed, prolonged stress at the

internalization and/or compartmentalization (Heller
& LaPierre, 2012).

According to Hill (2015)

exhaustion stage has detrimental physiological

dissociation consists of three phenomena 1)

effects.

automaticity; 2)

Over time this results in sustained

compartmentalization of content;

maladaptive responses that mis-align the body-mind

and 3) altered states of consciousness. Dissociation

complex and result in a state of chronic stress.

may be full or partial (Hill, 2015).

Interestingly, Pert’s (1997) research reveals

dissociated self-states, one may remember other

emotions are not recorded in the brain alone, rather

ways of being but they seem disconnected (Hill,

they are recorded at the cellular level through out the

2015).

body. Therefore, the body stores information about

(Hill, 2015). Conversely, full dissociation may be

its experience in physical matter relative to space-

total amnesia of thoughts, feelings and a sense of

time. Continual psycho-physiological adaptations

self (Hill, 2015).

In partially

They may be dismissed by the individual

based on environ-mental cues are often distorted

Research suggests the level of trauma is

over time due to lack of support, resources and

related to developmental attachment states. Bowlby

adaptation skills. Consequently, repeated exposure

(1958) formulated what is known as attachment

to traumatic events shapes individual perception;

theory investigating the type of bonds that are

over time these experiences develop and crystalize a

created between infant and caregiver. Research by

personal worldview. Indeed, research suggests that

Ainsworth and Bell (1970) further elucidated these

those with reduced resiliency (NIH, 2015) are most

attachment relationships by examining the mother-

affected and respond by internalizing their

infant dyad interaction during the fear state. This

experiences.

Resilience factors are considered to

study illuminated the importance of attachment and

reduce the risk of post traumatic stress disorder

its role in the development of relationships with the

(PTSD) and include, seeking support, a positive

self, the environment, others and the adaptability to

affective appraisal of ones own actions in the face of

stress. The fear response and the adaptation of the

trauma, coping strategies and the ability to respond

infant was measured through the stranger

effectively despite experiencing fear (NIH, 2015).

experiment.

The infant was separated from their

main caregiver and a stranger was introduced.
Psychological theories relating to trauma
abound.

Subsequent behavior towards the stranger and the

Indeed, trauma exists on a continuum,

return of the original caregiver elucidated the types

ranging from relatively mild to severe. The effects

of attachments and adaptability developed by the

of trauma are believed to result in dissociation,

infant.

Consequently, four main types of

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© The Society for Animal Consciousness 2016.

Issue 2, Vol 1, April 2016.