Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

In this article, we report on a phenomenological study of experiences of recovery of 7 women with histories of childhood maltreatment. We propose a model that recalls the Anglo-Franc etymological origins of rekeverer: to regain consciousness, health, or strength. Dimensions include development of a selfhood; tasks of connection and separation; regulation of overwhelming emotions; management of choices; and internalization of therapeutic relational dynamics. Based on the findings, we suggest that theory and research need to extend concepts of healing, add methodologies privileging victim/survivor voices, and revisit concepts such as neutrality and resistance as they apply to dissociative disorders. Practitioners should have specific training in trauma models, although they need to hold these theories lightly because therapeutic goals and pathways of change might well differ for each client. Integrated whole-of-government initiatives need to identify those at risk of abuse as early as possible, and provide response funding beyond assessment services.

Left / Write // Hook: A mixed method study of a writing and boxing workshop for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma

“…These findings support those of Graham, Powell and Karam (2011) who argued that group participation with fellow survivors increases support for survivors and reduces feelings of isolation, stigma, and shame. While previous studies have given focus to CSA survivor stories (Anderson & Hiersteiner, 2008;Spermon et al, 2013), the combination of creative somatic and cognitive activities in the LWH program provided a new avenue for understanding the potential pathways towards recovery and wellbeing for participants. As Panhofer (2017) suggested, from the perspective of dance movement therapy, dealing only with the verbal in a therapeutic context omits the experiences stored as memories in the body, and the findings of the present study illustrate how the combination of writing and boxing in the LWH workshops supported a move from implicit to explicit ways of knowing.…”

Girlhood Betrayals of Women Childhood Trauma Survivors in Treatment for Addiction

“…In general, individuals who emerge from families of insecure attachment patterns or outright abuse deal with considerable psychological difficulties as adults (Berry, Danquah, & Wallin, ; McWilliams & Baily, ); many heal with the help of therapists. For those with complex trauma who can afford therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Linehan, ) is ideal, but it may take years to develop a sense of self, interpersonal skills, and the ability to lead an ordinary life (Spermon, Darlington, & Gibney, ). The women in this study were not so fortunate.…”

“I’m Not Waving, I’m Drowning”

“…There are risks associated with disclosure, but some stories demand to be told. In the describing and analyzing personal experiences with the goal of understanding a wider culture, autoethnography can reveal social and personal injustices, privilege victim and survivor voices (Spermon, Darlington, & Gibney, 2013), and disrupt prevailing viewpoints (Ellis, Adams, & Bochner, 2010), such as that medical paternalism can serve patients well while still excluding them from decision-making processes (Stan, 2002).…”