Dissociation falls under the major heading of Defense Mechanisms, along with stuff like repression, regression, etc.

I completely agree about the labels! They are only important, imo, for insurance companies forms and to make sure you are getting the right kind of therapy for your particular disorder. Other than that, they usually seem to make people feel bad. Although I guess sometimes it may be good to know there are other people out there who feel like we do? So many in fact, we gave the whole gang a name?? Dunno. Wow - did I just disagree with myself? em