While psychoanalysis is not often thought of as the treatment of choice for PTSD, it may be helpful.
It would rarely be used by itself for the treatment of trauma. It might be used, however, in conjunction with other modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Psychoanalysis, or some form of psychodynamic treatment, would be most helpful for those who have had extensive trauma, particularly trauma that occurred in childhood.
When children are traumatized, they often become frozen in time developmentally. While they mature physically, there may be some emotional and social areas in which they have difficulty.
Psychodynamic treatment can aid in healing those early wounds and help the individual make up for what was lost.
Hope Makes Healing Possible!
Patricia Sherman, Ph.D., LCSW
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Dear Pat,
I have been looking around your website and would like to ask you a question. I recently ended a relationship with an emotionally abusive man. Among his behaviours was constant putdowns of me passed off as jokes, calling me names for not agreeing with him on religious matters, and swearing at me when I became ill and he had to drive me to the hospital.
When I ended the relationship, I cited the above behaviours and told him I would no longer tolerate abuse and did not want to go on with him. He responded by saying all of the above instances were merely lies that I had made up just to pick a fight with him and that I should go find some new man to lie about.
What is the psychology behind the abuser denying his behaviour? You would think that when someone points out that you've behaved very badly, that you would feel awful and try to make amends. A friend of mine claims that abuse is just part of everyday behaviour for these guys, so they don't even remember what they said because to them, it is not important. What do you think?
Thanks,
Sarah
Posted by sarah on June 16, 2007 1:05 PM
Unfortunately, there are people in the world who do not seem capable of responding in an adult, caring way when they are confronted with the truths of their behavior.
The very same character traits that led him to treat you in the way he did are the ones that led to his not accepting responsibility for his actions.
The good news is you realized how destructive the relationship was to you and you ended it.
It might be helpful to look back on the relationship with him to see what you can learn from having been with him.
Sometimes we can learn more when we make a mistake than when we get something right in the first place.
What was attractive about him initially?
When did it seem to start to go bad?
Reflecting on your time together, what can you see now that were early warning signs he was not as he had originally seemed?
All of this information can be helpful as you heal from the hurt of this relationship and look toward having a healthy, joy-filled relationship with someone in the future.
I hope this has been helpful. Please let me know if there's any other way I can help.
Pat
Posted by Pat Sherman on June 25, 2007 11:06 AM