S e l f : A Visual Study of Dissociation
2020
Experiencing prolonged sexual abuse can lead to a shift in the sense of self as the mind tries to protect itself. Low self-esteem and guilt are some familiar symptoms of this; dissociation and depersonalization are less commonly understood. “Dissociation” is an umbrella term that refers to disorders and experiences that are characterized by a loss of access to – or control over – mental processes. Through a combination of scientific and creative research, I seek a deeper understanding of the dissociative effects that trauma leaves behind. Though dissociative effects can arise from experiencing trauma of any kind, I am drawing on personal experiences of sexual abuse to inform the direction of this study.
