Adoptive Parenting, Child Parenting - Adopted Child and Dissociative Disorders

09/18/07

Adopted Child and Dissociative Disorders

Posted by : Faith Allen in Adoptive Parenting Blog at 05:25 am , 395 words, 98 views
Categories: Dissociative Disorders

Several readers have asked me to write about my experiences with growing up as an abused child and share ways that they, as adoptive parents, can help their abused adopted children heal from their pasts. This series on dissociative disorders should be enlightening to anyone who is parenting a child who has suffered trauma. I will share what a dissociative disorder is and what it feels like from the adopted child's perspective. I will also provide guidance for helping the child heal.

I know many adoptive parents who are raising traumatized children. One thing that fascinates me is how infrequently I hear adoptive parents talking about dissociative disorders. I say this because, on message boards for adult survivors of childhood abuse, dissociative disorders are high on the list of areas in which adult survivors struggle. They developed their disorders as young children, and as adults, they struggle to find a way to heal from them. A large number of adult survivors report having some form of dissociative disorder, so I find it interesting that this topic is not discussed very often from the adoptive parent perspective.

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On the other hand, I see numerous discussions about children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) while most of the adult survivors I know have not been diagnosed with this, even though they have endured trauma similar in severity. However, most adult abuse survivors report having severe trust and attachment issues, even without this diagnosis.

I wonder if perhaps there is a significant overlap between RAD in a child and a dissociative disorder in an adult. RAD is diagnosed by observing behavior, but dissociative disorders are diagnosed by what the adult patient reports. As I discuss dissociative disorders, I have a feeling that many of you parents of children with RAD will have a lot of "aha!" moments. Also, some of you who are raising traumatized children who have not been diagnosed with RAD might also find that this series explains a lot about your child.

For those of you who have never even heard of a dissociative disorder, stay tuned. I will explain in detail in my next post.

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: condo-mom [Member]

I'll be reading with interest. Raising a daughter with attachment issues, I often wonder if her biggest fears lie in connecting with Herself -- with the confusion of her own life? Add to that the seeming brain damage of fae and we can have at times a very stuck child. And she certainly can nap. -- Rachel

Permalink 09/18/07 @ 07:18

Comment from: Faith Allen [Member]

· http://hoping.adoptionblogs.com/

Thanks for your comment. I do believe this series will be very helpful for you.

Any form of disconnection boils down to being afraid of connecting back with yourself. Traumatized children see themselves through their abusers' eyes and reject themselves. Healing involves learning how to love and accept yourself and reconnecting with the parts that you pushed aside.

Take care,

- Faith

Permalink 09/18/07 @ 07:28

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