Trauma, Dreams and Psychological Boundaries: A Perspective on Emotional Resilience and Psychopathology

Abstract

A traumatic event can profoundly affect individuals emotionally and physically, with trauma referring to the psychological response to such events. While most people recover over time, some struggle to process their experiences, leading to conditions such as anxiety, mood, and/or personality disorders. Ernest Hartmann’s concept of boundaries—developed in the context of personality differences in dream content—offers insight into why certain individuals may be more vulnerable. Hartmann describes boundaries as sensitivity and fluidity across domains, which I argue can be linked to unique psychopathological vulnerabilities. Dream content, influenced by one’s boundary profile, provides insights into associated emotional tendencies. By processing emotional memories and reflecting current preoccupations, as well as associative unconscious processes of memory consolidation, dreams form a tangible therapeutic avenue within the broader context of trauma, boundary profiles, and psychopathology. This review has two objectives: first, to investigate how boundary profiles influence psychopathological responses to trauma, and second, to explore how dreams reflect and address these same processes—highlighting dream-based interventions as a promising method for reducing specific psychopathological vulnerabilities. I propose a framework, conceptualized as two “loops,” that illuminates the intricate interplay between trauma, boundaries, and dreams, offering a novel perspective on individual resilience, vulnerability, and unique pathways to recovery. In doing so, I hope to expand on traditional diagnostic and treatment models and contribute to the growing movement towards a dimensional understanding of mental health.