Developmental Trauma Disorder 

Amy Roche, MA, LPC

A new diagnosis provisionally called Developmental Trauma Disorder is being lobbied by The Complex Trauma Task Force of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.  The following information is gleaned from the New Frontiers in Trauma Treatment by Bessell A. van der Kolk, MD, Medical Director of the Trauma Center in Boston MA.  Each year, over 3,000,000 children are reported to authorities for abuse and/or neglect in the United States, with over 1,000,000 reports substantiated.  When one considers that many cases go unreported, the number of children and adult survivors is staggering; 80% of people responsible for child maltreatment are children's own parents.

Exposure is defined as:  1.  Multiple or chronic exposure to one or more forms of developmentally adverse interpersonal trauma (abandonment, betrayal, physical assaults, sexual assaults, threats to bodily integrity, coercive practices, emotional abuse, witnessing violence and death);  2.  Subjective Experience (rage, betrayal, fear, resignation, defeat, shame).  

Interpersonal trauma often results in a fear of intimacy.  Therefore, it is critical in treatment to first help create a physical sense of control by working on the establishment of physical boundaries.  Exploring ways of regulating physiological arousal by utilizing breath and body movement is also important.  Then, the ability to focus on regaining a physical sense of defending and protecting oneself must be learned.  It is particularly useful to explore previous experiences of safety and competency and to activate memories of what it feels like to experience pleasure, enjoyment, focus, power and effectiveness.  Working with trauma is as much about remembering how one survived as it is about what is broken. 

If you or anyone you know has experienced trauma, we can help lead the way to the path of healing.  Contact us at (248) 244-8644.

You Need Not Walk Alone

PERSPECTIVES serves CLIENTELE at 2 Locations...

With over 35 licensed professionals on staff, we excel in the mental health services we provide in the areas of:

Psychiatric Services including Board Certified M.D.'s and D.O.'s
for children, adolescents, and adults