Prior the symposium several of our speakers were sceptical whether the sensation and affect of disgust should be accorded such a distinctive position within the range of psychotraumatic symptoms. But after sharing a score of scientific and practical insights, including valuable research results and case studies, the gathered assembly came to the conclusion that disgust is an extremely important – some speakers said it might actually be the most important – factor in recognising psychotraumata in complex traumatised / dissociative patients at an early stage.

To some extent the gathered practitioners expressed surprise as to why the significance of the sensation and affect of disgust could have been underestimated for so long, given that the majority of the above mentioned patients experienced strong interpersonal violence – particularly in the form of sexual transgression. Research results confirm that such patients tend to be more sensitised when it comes to interpersonal contact. They display more anxiety in forming new relationships with therapists and therapeutic groups, and when getting used to therapeutic interventions that are physical.

This especially poses a challenge for new therapy concepts. First, such distinctions need to be grasped better and earlier. Second, this subliminal deficit might in itself partly contain the long-term objective for change in which it is possible to overcome psychotraumatic symptoms and the resulting personality structure step-by-step and in an ordered fashion.

The symposium book provides interesting discussions and some initial solutions. This very detailed specialist book is consisting of the edited talks from the symposium and is published by Psychosozial-Verlag (Gießen).

>Content (german)
>Reviews by Tilmann Moser and H.J. Freyberger (german)

"This collection of talks marks a breakthrough, not only of the depth-psychological research of disgust, but also of the further field of trauma-theory and -therapy, in which disgust is embedded."
Tilmann Moser

All the contributing authors look forward to hearing your expressions of interest in this first specialist book on the topic of disgust and psychotrauma.

Your sincerely,
Dr. Ralf Vogt

<german