Bennett Braun

 

Bennett G. Braun’s research

(with information about the Burgus v. Braun legal case)

Bennett Braun was a famous doctor that worked in the field of dissociation and trauma in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. He created the BASK Model of Dissociation, a model for understanding and healing dissociation that is still used by some today.

The BASK Model of Dissociation Bennett G. Braun, M.D. ABSTRACT The BASK model conceptualizes the complex phenomenology of dissociation along with dimensions of Behavior, Affect, Sensation, and Knowledge. The process of dissociation itself, hypnosis, and the clinical mental disorders that constitute the dissociative disorders are described in terms of this model, and illustrated.
https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1794/1276/Diss_1_1_2_OCR_rev.pdf

Psychiatry Research
Volume 15, Issue 4, August 1985, Pages 253-260
Psychiatry Research
Dissociative states in multiple personality disorder: A quantitative study
Edward K.Silberman
Frank W.Putnam Herbert Weingartner Bennett G. Robert M.Post
https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1781(85)90062-9
Multiple personality disorder (MPD) patients may experience themselves as several discrete alter personalities who do not share consciousness or memories with one another. In this study, we asked whether MPD patients are different from controls in their ability to learn and remember, and their ability to compartmentalize information. MPD patients were not found to differ from controls in overall memory level. Learning of information by MPD patients in disparate personality states did not result in greater compartmentalization than that of which control subjects were capable. However, there were qualitative differences between the cognitive performance of patients and that of controls attempting to role-play alter personalities. Our results suggest that simple confabulation is not an adequate model for the MPD syndrome, and we consider a possible role for state-dependent learning in the phenomenology of MPD.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0165178185900629

Intellectual functioning of inpatients with dissociative identity disorder and dissociative disorder not otherwise specified.
Rossini, E. D., Schwartz, D. R., & Braun, B. G. (1996). Intellectual functioning of inpatients with dissociative identity disorder and dissociative disorder not otherwise specified. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 184(5), 289–294. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005053-199605000-00004
Abstract
Examined the intellectual functioning of 50 inpatients with multiple personality disorder (MPD) and 55 inpatients with dissociative disorder (DSD) not otherwise specified using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised (WAIS–R) as part of a comprehensive research protocol. No significant intellectual differences were found between MPD and DSD Ss on any major IQ summary score or on any of the age-adjusted empirical factor scores. A significant subsample of MPD Ss manifested abnormal intertest scatter on the WAIS-R verbal subtests, and this variability was attributed to subtle neuropsychological deficits on the Memory/Distractibility factor. Results suggest that dissociative patients might need to be evaluated for attention deficit disorder in addition to the range of dissociative symptoms in a comprehensive evaluation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-00445-004

Rorschach Indicators of Multiple Personality Disorder Sep 1992 SUSAN M. LABOTT. FRANK LEAVITT. BENNETT G. BRAUN, ROBERTA G. SACHS
The increase in reported cases of Multiple Personality Disorder underscores a great need to differentiate clearly this from other psychiatric disorders and from simulation of Multiple Personality Disorder. Two sets of Rorschach signs have been advanced as clinical markers by their developers, namely Barach and also Wagner, Allison, and Wagner.
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1009.5788&rep=rep1&type=pdf

From https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Bennett-G-Braun-73957132

Dissociation : Volume 10, No. 2, p. 120-124 : Frequency of EEG abnormalities in a large dissociative population
Article Jun 1997
Bennett G. Braun David R. Schwartz Howard M. Kravitz Jordan Waxman
Frequency of EEG abnormalities in a large dissociative population
Article Jun 1997 B.G. Braun D.R. Schwartz H.M. Kravitz J. Waxman
A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the frequency of electroencephalographic abnormalities, particularly those suggesting temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), among patients with dissociative disorders.

Factor analytic investigation of the WAIS-R among patients with dissociative psychopathology
Article Mar 1997 D.R. Schwartz E.D. Rossini B.G. Braun G.M. Stein
The factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) was examined among 133 participants diagnosed with a dissociative disorder.

Patterns of Dissociation in Clinical and Nonclinical Samples
Dec 1996 FRANK W. PUTNAM Eve B Carlson Colin A. Ross BENNETT G. BRAUN
Research has consistently found elevated mean dissociation scores in particular diagnostic groups.

Validity of the Dissociative Experiences Scale in screening for Multiple Personality Disorder: A multicenter study
Article Aug 1993 Eve B Carlson F W Putnam Colin A. Ross B G Braun
The Dissociative Experiences Scale has proved a reliable and valid instrument to measure dissociation in many groups, but its capacity to distinguish patients with multiple personality disorder from patients with other psychiatric disorders has not yet been conclusively tested.

Psychopathology, Hypnotizability, and dissociation Article Dec 1992 E J Frischholz L S Lipman B G Braun
R G Sachs
The purpose of the study was to replicate and extend previous findings regarding the hypnotizability of different clinical groups. The authors compared the differential hypnotizability of four psychiatric groups–patients with dissociative disorders (N = 17), schizophrenia (N = 13), mood disorders (N = 13), and anxiety disorders (N = 14)

Bupropion-Associated Mania in a Patient with HIV Infection Nov 1992 Christopher Glenn Fichtner BENNETT G. BRAUN

Construct Validity of the Dissociative Experiences Scale: II. Its Relationship to Hypnotizability
Oct 1992 Edward J. Frischholz Bennett G. Braun Roberta G. Sachs Jim Pasquotto
Undergraduates (n = 311) who volunteered to participate in an experiment on “Hypnotizability and Personality” filled out several personality questionnaires (including the Dissociative Experiences Scale; DES), were administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS), and completed a self-rating of hypnotizability.

Suggested Posthypnotic Amnesia in Psychiatric Patients and Normals Aug 1992 Edward J. Frischholz Bennett G. Braun Laurie S. Lipman Roberta Sachs
The present study examined both quantitative and qualitative hypnotizability differences among four psychiatric patient groups (dissociative disorder (n = 17), schizophrenic (n = 13), mood disorder (n = 14), and anxiety disorder (n = 14) patients), and normals (college students (n = 63).

Construct validity of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES): I. The relationship between the DES and other self-report measures of DES. Dec 1991 Edward J. Frischholz Bennett G. Braun Roberta G. Sachs David R. Schwartz
Administered the DES, the Tellegen Absorption Scale (ABS), the Perceptual Alteration Scale (PAS), the Yellen Ambiguity Intolerance Scale (YAIS), and the Jenkins Activity Schedule to 311 undergraduates. The DES total score (and 3 DES factor scores) correlated with the ABS and PAS and YAIS overall scores.
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1009.5788&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Historical reliability: a key to differentiating populations among patients presenting signs of multiple personality disorder. Nov 1991 FRANK LEAVITT BENNETT BRAUN
The clinical value of inconsistencies in the historical data of patients presenting with signs of multiple personality disorder was assessed. Three major inconsistencies in historical data were identified in 23 patients who were admitted to a Dissociative Disorders Program with a diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder.

Patients reporting ritual abuse in childhood: A clinical syndrome. Report of 37 cases
Feb 1991 Walter C. Young Roberta G. Sachs Bennett G. Braun Ruth T. Watkins
Thirty-seven adult dissociative disorder patients who reported ritual abuse in childhood by satanic cults are described. Patients came from a variety of separate clinical settings and geographical locations and reported a number of similar abuses. The most frequently reported types of ritual abuse are outlined, and a clinical syndrome is presented.

Construct validity of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES): I. The relation between the des and other self-report measures of dissociation Jan 1991 E.J. Frischholz B.G. Braun R.G. Sachs J. Pasquotto

The Dissociative Experiences Scale: Further replication and validation
Sep 1990 Edward J. Frischholz Bennett G. Braun Roberta G. Sachs
Administered the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) of E. M. Bernstein and F. W. Putnam (see record 1987-14407-001) to 259 college students, 33 patients with multiple personality disorder (MPD), and 29 patients with a dissociative disorder not otherwise specified (DDNOS). The interrater reliability for the DES scoring procedure was excellent.

Hypnosis and Eyewitness Testimony Feb 1986 Patrick A Tuite Bennett G Braun Edward J Frischholz
DISSOCIATIVE PSYCHOPATHOLOGY David R. Schwartz Edward Rossini Bennett G. Braun M. Stein
The factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) was examined among 133 participants diagnosed with a dissociative disorder . The results of two and three factor orthogonal solutions with varimax rotation were obtained .

Treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder

Bennett G. Braun

https://books.google.com/books?id=kPxuNFMOzQkC&pg=PR7&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

Disciplined doctor licensed in Montana – Associated Press – October 16, 2003 By Bob Anez
After legal attacks in the 1990’s, he agreed to a two-year suspension of his medical license in October 1999 and was given five years probation after accusations by a former patient. Braun had stated that he didn’t contest his license suspension and $5,000 fine because he was exhausted financially, emotionally and physically. He said he spent about $500,000 to initially fight the disciplinary case.

Candidate accused by former patient by Thomas R. O’Donnell – Des Moines Register – 10/28/98 – “A former Iowan who won a $10.6 million settlement from a Chicago hospital and two psychiatrists said the diagnosis of multiple personalities and repressed memories of satanic cults that led to her lawsuit originated with a West Des Moines clinical social worker. But the social worker, Ann-Marie Baughman, now a Polk County legislative candidate, said that when she started counseling Patricia Burgus in 1982, Burgus was a troubled woman who was threatening to kill herself and others. Burgus…also was displaying behavior that Baughman could not understand. “It was the physical changes more than just the verbal expressions of what she was telling me” that led Baughman to conclude she was seeing multiple personalities. The “muscles in her face would all relax . . . and she would just look different. It was just the eeriest thing….But suggestions that Braun somehow planted the horrific memories in Burgus’ head are wrong, Baughman said, because they started surfacing during her sessions with Burgus in Des Moines….In the settlement, reached last fall after six years of litigation, neither the hospital nor the psychiatrists, Braun and Elva Poznanski, admitted fault. Braun has said his insurance company settled over his objections.”

Here’s a summary of the research on Burgus v. Braun et al that was presented by a researcher at the 2002 International Society for the Study of Dissociation conference in Baltimore

In 1993 the Burgus family filed a malpractice lawsuit against Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Dr. Elva Poznanski, the boys” psychiatrist, and Dr. Bennett Braun, Pat’s psychiatrist…Before her hospitalization at Rush in 1983, Pat spent most days in bed in with the curtains drawn, unable to care for herself. She threatened to kill herself and others. Her husband came home for lunch to make sure the boys were fed. She became convinced that the doctor who did her tubal ligation had implanted a fetus during the surgery. She approached mothers of infant daughters, asking them if they would trade their daughter for her infant son, Mikey. Pat entered Rush diagnosed with multiple personality disorder and borderline personality disorder. Upon admission Pat was agitated and incoherent. During her first month on the unit and before she was placed on meds, Pat told staff “I’m switching [personalities] out of control today. I’m doing so much switching today I can’t believe it.” Pat testified that the rapid switching decreased over time as her medications were increased….Other patients said they recognized her from her participation in cult-related criminal activities. At the time of her release from Rush in 1987 Pat was more stable and integrated. Did Pat’s psychiatrist implant false memories as Pat has claimed? On January 17, 1997, a defense attorney asked Pat about the source of her memories. Pat repeatedly conceded that she had originated all the memories herself. Her psychiatrist did not implant any memories. He had simply passed on to her what the other patients had reported.” https://ritualabuse.us/smart-conference/2010-conference/the-move-from-blame-the-victim-to-blame-the-helper/

https://ritualabuse.us/smart/bennett-braun/