Object Relations in Severe Trauma

Stephen Prior

ISBN 10: 0765700182 / ISBN 13: 9780765700186

Published by Jason Aronson Publishers, US, 2004

About this Item

Building upon the theoretical work of Ferenczi, Fairbairn, and Berliner, the author describes four basic relational patterns in the lives of abused children: the reliving of abusive relationships, either as victim or as perpetrator; identification with the aggressor; masochistic self-blame; and the seeking of object contact though sex or violence. The interweaving of these patterns creates what Dr. Prior calls "relational dilemmas." According to him, these four basic relational patterns are held in place by the child's profound fear of falling into primitive states of unrelatedness and consequent annihilation anxiety. For example, the abused child believes that victimization by or identification with the bad object, no matter how horrible that may be, is preferable to the psychic disintegration that complete nonrelatedness creates. Dilemmas of this nature tear apart the child's psyche, leading to unstable and tormented models of self, other, and relationship.Object Relations in Severe Trauma provides sensitive understanding of childhood traumatization and a conceptual and technical framework for the treatment of patients-both children and adults-who have suffered from it.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780765700186

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Object Relations in Severe Trauma
• Publisher: Jason Aronson Publishers, US
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0765700182
• ISBN 13: 9780765700186
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 272 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Dr. Stephen Prior's Object Relations in Severe Trauma offers unique insight into the suffering and treatment of seriously disturbed, traumatized children. It outlines an object relational theory of the consequences of sexual traumatization as well as a detailed portrait of child treatment. By integrating a psychodynamic and relational understanding of psychic disorganization with a more contemporary account of traumainduced anxieties, Dr. Prior gives an account of what he calls _the psychodynamics of trauma._

About the Author

Stephen Prior holds doctorates in both philosophy and psychology. After receiving his degree in psychology, he worked extensively with seriously disturbed children. Currently he is in private practice with adults and children in the greater Boston area.