Attuned Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Non-abused, High-functioning People Living Outside of Time

This book explores the effects of developmental trauma on non-abused individuals, highlighting the impact of repetitive stress, fear, and shame on the developing brain. It focuses on the profound suffering of high-functioning private-practice patients who manifest developmental trauma from chronic shock, shame, and neglect. The author offers a synthesis of diverse theoretical worlds to illustrate the effects of disorganized states in infancy and provides valuable examples for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and clinical psychologists working with traumatized patients.

Format: Hardback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate realm of developmental trauma, exploring its manifestations across group, individual, and combined psychotherapies. It follows the courageous journeys of non-abused individuals who have bravely confronted overwhelming childhood experiences, seeking to make sense of the chaos that permeates their lives. The profound effects of repetitive stress, fear, and shame during childhood have a lasting impact on the developing brain, leaving individuals vulnerable to anxiety, despair, and dissociative moments, often referred to as developmental trauma. Unfortunately, adverse childhood experiences often go unnoticed by therapists, making this book a valuable resource for those working with high-functioning private-practice patients who suffer from developmental trauma stemming from chronic shock, shame, and neglect.

Author Adams skillfully weaves together diverse theoretical perspectives, including relational psychoanalysis, the British school of object relations, trauma theory, neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, developmental psychopathology, and attachment theory, to shed light on adaptations to cumulative trauma. Through the use of richly detailed clinical material, this book offers invaluable insights into the consequences of disorganized states in infancy, making it an essential read for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and clinical psychologists who engage with traumatized patients.

The book begins by providing a comprehensive overview of developmental trauma, defining it as the cumulative impact of repetitive stress, fear, and shame experienced during childhood. It explains how these experiences can disrupt the normal development of the brain, leading to a range of psychological and physical symptoms. The author then delves into the experiences of high-functioning private-practice patients who exhibit symptoms of developmental trauma, highlighting the profound suffering they endure.

Adams offers a synthesis of various theoretical frameworks to understand the adaptations that individuals develop in response to chronic trauma. She explores the role of attachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of secure relationships in promoting healthy development, and how disruptions in attachment can contribute to the development of trauma-related symptoms. The book also discusses the impact of neurobiology on understanding trauma, highlighting the role of the brain's stress response system and the development of coping strategies.

Throughout the book, Adams provides clear and compelling examples from her clinical work to illustrate the effects of disorganized states in infancy. These examples help to deepen the reader's understanding of the trauma experienced by these patients and the challenges they face in their daily lives. The author also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing developmental trauma in therapy, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of trauma.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking exploration of developmental trauma, offering valuable insights into its manifestations, adaptations, and treatment. By focusing on the experiences of high-functioning private-practice patients, the author provides a deeper understanding of the profound suffering that can result from chronic trauma and the importance of addressing it in therapy. This book is a must-read for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and clinical psychologists who work with traumatized patients, as it offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and treating this complex condition.

Weight: 766g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032201283