Early Childhood Trauma Case Study

Diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID) accounts for an estimated 1% of the general population and up to 20% of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric populations (Brand & Loewenstein, 2010). DID can also be triggered and manifested in individuals which is why trauma is especially prevalent in individuals diagnosed with DID; about 71% have experienced childhood physical abuse and 74% sexual abuse (Foote, Smolin, Kaplan, Legatt, & Lipschitz, 2006). Due to trauma being so prevalent in DID many individuals with dissociative disorders suffer from a multitude of psychiatric issues that may include

Interestingly, women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with dissociative identity than men and only one percent of the world’s population develop the disorder. In women, the number of subpersonalities that can be involved in a single diagnosis is fifteen whereas in males it is eight. The subpersonalities often have their own themes and there is always a host, the high functioning personality; a child, specifically at the age in which the individual experienced the traumatic event; a hedonistic, the personality that operates on the pleasure principle; an aggressive identity, the personality that serves as a protector to the host; and a subpersonality of the opposite sex, this identity is obvious through the change of tone in the individual’s voice. The subpersonalities can either maintain a relationship with one another or be completely unaware of each other’s existence. Mutually amnesic relationships, one way amnesic relationships or mutual cognizant patterns may be present with this disorder (Comer, R. J., & Whiteford, F. 1998). Mutually amnesic relationships are relationships when the subpersonalities have no awareness of each other; they believe they are the only personality present. A one way amnesic relationship is when only some subpersonalities are aware of each other, but others are not. The subpersonalities that are aware of one another will observe the thoughts and actions set out by

In the case study by Ghosh-Ippen, Lieberman, and NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force (2012), Amarika is an 18-month-old girl who witnessed the shooting of her mother Makisha at a neighborhood park. Her mother survived the shooting, but was in the hospital for some time after to recover. Her grandmother, Marlene Lawrence, cared for Amarika. Mrs. Lawrence reported that Amarika was refusing to eat and having difficulty sleeping. This is when the social worker, Carla, was contacted to provide trauma intervention for Amarika.

“American Psychiatric Association defines trauma as an event that represents a threat to life or personal integrity. Trauma can also be experienced when children are faced with a caregiver who acts erratically, emotional and /or physical neglect, and exploitation” (Maltby, L., & Hall, T. 2012. p. 304). Trauma comes in many different forms including: war, rape, kidnapping, abuse, sudden injury, and

Childhood abuse frequently leads to PTSD and sharply increases the risk for later delinquency and violent criminal behavior. Many studies found a relationship between severe childhood abuse and the propensity to victimize others. If the sufferer does not receive treatment, violent behavior may reoccur.” ( Wave Trust, 2014-15). Doctor Dutton has been quoted numerous times in articles, journals, and books as saying, “Although witnessing parental violence, being shamed and being insecurely attached are each sources of trauma in and of themselves, the combination of the three over prolonged and vulnerable developmental phases constitutes a dramatic and powerful trauma source. The child cannot turn to a secure attachment source for soothing, as none exists, yet the need created by the shaming and exposure to violence triggers enormous emotional and physiological reactions requiring soothing.” (2000, pp.

Your introduction is very engaging and emphasizes the important role of communication after experiencing trauma. I believe your topic is very relatable because there is a sense of denial, seclusion, and dissociation that correlates with trauma and loss that many of us have experienced. Open communication within a family unit provides opportunities to express thoughts and feelings and develop appropriate coping strategies (Zambianchi & Bitti, 2014). In your intro you stated, "The impact childhood trauma has on our society and on children." As a suggestion, maybe you could expand on this statement or state specific impacts childhood trauma has on our society or on children. I love your examples of evidenced based interventions and how

removed from the family environment, a primary relative had to relocate or the death or destruction (e.g. fatal accident, domestic violence, natural disaster) of a close individual (Faust & Katchen, 2004). (Faust et al., 2004)The fourth factor emphasizes that age may be a factor in children’s responses to traumatic events which thus determines the course of therapy (Faust & Katchen, 2004). (Faust et al., 2004)Very young children struggle with cognitive components of cognitive-behavioral intervention strategies because it exceeds their developmental capabilities (Faust & Katchen, 2004). (Faust et al., 2004)As previously noted, a child is at a greater risk for the effects of severe sexual abuse in the first years of life (Faust & Katchen, 2004). (Faust et al., 2004)

It is clear that Mr. Martinez has experienced a significant number of traumatic events in his lifetime. The repeated abuse as a child coupled with the trauma he experienced as an adult would most certainly make Mr. Martinez susceptible to Complex PTSD. Although this synopsis doesn't detail Martinez's response to the traumas I assume that the events in his early childhood would have instilled feelings of fear and helplessness. I believe he would have had similar feelings from the combat-related trauma, torture by law enforcement, and the experience of being on death row. It is likely that the PTSD lead Martinez to commit acts that lead to his incarceration.

Due to its complexity and skepticism there is minimal information in regards to dissociation, dissociative disorders, and the effects of trauma throughout the core development years of childhood. Within recent years the awareness, and study of DID from a clinical standpoint have increased and diagnosing criteria has been outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and is as follows: (Pais, 2009)

Since beginning the Early Childhood Trauma project little has not surprised me. When we first discussed the project and learned that the men volunteered to participate in this study due to personal desire I was shocked. Maybe it is due to my personal biases, but I would never expect these men, who have mainly negative experiences with institutions to participate in an institutionally based intervention project. The men volunteering for this project indicated that I should attempt to limit guiding my process by preconceived notions and instead be as partial as possible. My lack of understanding, misconceptions and absence of personal experience that relates to these topics no doubt is partially why I find the majority of the information surprising. However, the experience of our first meeting, which I am examining here, was surprising for a different set of reasons. There were several moments during our meeting with DeAndre, Luis, Angle, Junito and Ron I would classify as 'disorienting', and I will reflect and synthesize them in the following paper. They apply to atmosphere, unforeseen commonalities and knowledge,

Children are naturally predisposed as a minority population as they have significantly less control over their lives due to their age, involuntary group membership (due to age), legal inability to care for themselves, and requirement to have needs and wants met by their parents/guardians. Trauma that occurs during childhood is important to resolve when it occurs because youth are at an optimum vulnerable state during this time period in their early lives. Child Action for Protection refers to the vulnerability of youth in The Vulnerable Child as a child's lack of capacity for self-protection (2010). Children have a tendency and natural naivety to being vulnerable as they do not possess certain life skills that will aid them in proper

Most of the time, Dissociative Identity Disorder is brought upon a person due to him or her experiencing traumatic events, mostly in their childhood. Although, not everyone who goes through distressing and emotionally disturbing events and dissociation, develops DID (Aldridge-Morrison 53). Defense mechanisms contribute to why someone develops, because they can not cope with their behaviors. Defense mechanisms are mental processes where their mind unconsciously avoids conscious anxiety of conflicts (Bray Haddock 147). That results in the patient constructing a victim, “splitting,” or protective identity. Victim identity is the identity that experiences the traumatic events so that the main person and other identities do not have memory of it or have to go through it. The “splitting” identity is the one identity who acts childish, so that it keeps the protective and victim identities away from gaining control over the host’s body and mind. The identity that shields and defends against awareness of disturbing events and environmental threats as its role is the protective identity (Aldridge-Morrison 56). The most effective defense mechanism that contributes to the development of DID is dissociation, being in a state of disconnection or feeling disconnection towards something. As well as trying to position pain, anger, sadness somewhere else or blocking the painful memories, like denial, repression, sublimation etc, which are defense mechanism (

A trauma from a childhood experience will definitely affects a child as they mature into adulthood. Prime examples of this argument could be superheroes. Spider-Man was affected as a child because he lost both of his parents at young age. When Peter Parker was in high school, his Uncle Ben, who was the closest father figure he had, was murdered. While conducting further research, I discovered that while Peter Parker was talking to a young boy who had been molested by an older man, Spider-Man revealed that the same thing happened to him.

Several models exist to explain the development of Dissociative Identity Disorder, among which post-traumatic model (PTM) and the socio cognitive model (SCM) tops the list. The PTM suggests that DID develop as a reaction after experiencing a traumatic event usually child abuse, neglect or childhood terrorism or prostitution and became persistent in memories (Gleaves, 1996). The SCM, on the other hand, brief that DID develop as a result of media influences while internalizing everything being watched and also by the expectations or demands of a therapist (Spanos, 1994). Since Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is mostly related to early-life trauma so a discussion of the pros and cons of PTM model will be done. Some therapists believe

Childhood trauma. In modern times, it is generally accepted that dissociative identity disorder is caused by heavy stress or enormous trauma in a person’s childhood. Usually involving unpredictable and unexplained behaviors as well as poor communication, these events are usually caused by adults who play a significant role in the victim’s life; such as parents, siblings, or other important family members. During this time of neglect, if a young child is not receiving support or care in their time of need, they are susceptible to developing this disorder. This inadequate parenting is usually consistent with the family tree. As a result, poor behaviors are taught and passed down to children, which has the potential to lead to the development of psychological disorders. (Cohen, 2004, p. 220)