Chapter 5. Further Discussions on the “Relational stress” (14)

As for the gender difference of the level of sympathy, it has been found recently that oxytocin could be deeply implicated. Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone mainly involved in female reproduction process such as the uterine contraction and lactation. It also acts as a neurotransmitter related to social behavior and intimacy. Several researches indicate that connections between genetic polymorphism of oxytocin receptor and autism have been found (Yamasue, et al, 2009, Costa, B et al, 2009, Chen FS et al, 2011).
Yamasue, et al. 2009. Oxytocin, sexually dimorphic features of the social brain, and autism. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 63:129-40.
Costa, B et al. 2009. Oxytocin receptor polymorphisms and adult attachment style in patients with depression Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009 Nov;34(10):1506-14.
Chen, FS. et. al. 2011. An Oxytocin Receptor Gene Variant Predicts Attachment Anxiety in Females and Autism-Spectrum Traits in Males. Social Psychology & Personality Science.(now printing).
Another related study indicates that with the oxytocin infusion, patients with Asperser’s syndrome show markedly decreased level of repetitive behaviors, including their need to know, repeating, ordering, need to tell/ask, self-injury, and touching（Hollander, et al, 2003）
Hollander E, Novotny S et al. 2003. Oxytocin Infusion Reduces Repetitive Behaviors in Adults with Autistic and Asperser’s Disorders Neuropsychopharmacology 28, 193–198.
What these studies might be suggesting again is a possibility that due to the involvement of oxytocin secretion, women might demonstrate excessive tendency to read other people’s mind and to identify with it compared to men.
3. Conclusion
In this chapter we discussed further the notion of the “Relational Stress” and considered the relationship between dissociative disorders such as DID and childhood traumatic stress. DID can be generated in an environment where there is no overt trauma, such as sexual and physical trauma involved, but a stressful situation where the future patients are in conflicted relationship with their family members and inhibit their self-expression. Because of this life situation, they experience loneliness, need someone to share their thoughts and feelings, and this is the basis where different personalities might appear. I hypothesized that women tend to have more chance of having excessive interpersonal sensitiveness and identificatory process, which explains exaggerated predominance of the prevalence of DID among women.
Dissociative disorder is still full of enigma. It shows us the most complicated, unknown, but fascinating aspects of human mind. Dissociative symptoms are polymorphic, taking forms of magical thinking, possession, hysterical symptoms, various physical symptoms, etc., and it betrays our attempt to fixate them and formulate their nature of existence. We should face patients with candid attitude and readiness for new learning, while taking advantage of recent medical researches and technological development. Dissociation should be approached from clinical and bio-technological directions both hand in hand.