Key words: neurobiology of trauma, dissociation, EMDR, phases oriented treatment
Primary dissociation characterized by hyperarousal and simultaneously talamic dysfunction don’t allow the integration of traumatic memory.
The release of neurotransmitters, which takes place at the time of memory, prevents the alteration of traumatic memory and interferes with normal integrative functioning of consciousness. The central role of thalamus during the informations processing allows to study how sensory information is not integrated into higher neural networks, remaining stored in a specific state, frozen over time.
This conceptualization tends to reinforce the Janetian ideas:dissociation results in lowering of the level of consciousness linked to the emergence of vehement emotions.
The purpose of this article is to describe the neurobiological mechanism linked to primary dissociation, the importance of information processing in traumatic memories formation and EMDR, and finally to discuss the importance of following phased intervention in treating patients with trauma-related disorders.