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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

This presentation explores the impact of cult-involved trauma and its correlation with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It examines the various symptoms of PTSD, including avoidance, hyperarousal, and re-experiencing. The concept of Complex PTSD is also discussed, along with its effects on affect regulation, attention, self-perception, relationships, and systems of meaning. The presentation emphasizes the importance of understanding how trauma affects brain development and the role of attachment in affect regulation. Chronic stress and its physiological effects, as well as other emotional consequences of cult-involved trauma, such as guilt, shame, and spiritual abuse, are explored.

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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  1. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder And other consequences Of Cult-involved trauma Presented by: Doni P. Whitsett, Ph.D; LCSW Clinical Professor of Social Work University of Southern California

  2. Affect Regulation • PTSD as a disorder of affect (emotional) regulation • Cornerstone of good mental health • Affect dysregulation the basis of mental illness

  3. Avoidance Hyperarousal Re-experiencing Reminders Hyperarousal • Angry outbursts • Startle response • Lacks concentration • Insomnia • Intrusive thoughts • Nightmares • flashbacks THREE PRONGS OF PTSD

  4. Complex PTSD • “The overwhelming stress of maltreatment in childhood is associated with adverse influences on not just behavior but also on brain development.” Schore, A. (2009) • “Early experiences are built into our bodies, creating biological “memories” that shape development, for better or for worse.” (www.developingchild.harvard.edu/library)

  5. Complex PTSD Alteration in regulation of affect and impulses • a. affect regulation • b. modulation of anger • c. self-destructive • d. suicidal preoccupation • e. difficulty modulating sexual involvement f. excessive risk taking Alteration in attention or consciousness • a. amnesia • b. depersonalization • c. transient dissociate episodes Somatization • a. digestive system • b. chronic pain • c. cardiopulmonary symptoms • d. conversion symptoms • e. sexual symptoms • Source: van derKolk, B. & Fisler, R. (1994). Childhood abuse and neglect and loss of self-regulation. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic. 58(2) Alteration in self-perception • a. ineffectiveness • b. permanent damage • c. guilt and responsibility • d. shame • e. nobody can understand • f. minimizing Alterations in perception of perpetrator • a. adopting distorted beliefs • b. preoccupation with hurting perpetrator • c. idealization of the perpetrator Alterations in relationships with other • a. inability to trust • b. victimizing others • c. revictimization Alterations in systems of meaning • a. despair and hopelessness • b. loss of previously sustaining beliefs

  6. Affect Regulation • Ability to calm oneself down • Ability to enliven oneself • Mother first acts as psychobiological regulator • Brain sprouts axons and dendrites within a secure attachment • Baby takes on the self • soothing and enlivening • functions for herself

  7. Brain Development

  8. Optimal Brain Development • Strong connections up and down between higher and lower cortical regions • Thinking + feeling = good judgment

  9. The Cult Parent • Pre-occupied with cult activities • Children hinder their cult-defined goal • In child-like position vis a vis cult leader • Parents as “middle management”

  10. Hebian Axiom Neurons that fire together wire together. Donald Hebb

  11. The Stress Response • Faced with immediate danger • Cortisol and Epinephrine are released • HPA Axis • Feedback loop • Danger is over – return to baseline “Toxic stress caused by significant adversity can produce physiological disruptions that undermine the development of the body stress response systems and affect the architecture of the developing brain ….” (www.developingchild.harvard.edu/library)

  12. Effects of Chronic Stress • Impaired stress response • Hippocampal damage • Dissociation • Cults practice dissociative techniques

  13. Chronic Sympathetic Arousal Headaches Pain Sensitization Kindling Respiration Skin Hippocampal Cell Death GI Tract Anorexia IBS Lewis, Kelly, Allen (2004) Restoring Hope and Trust. Baltimore, MD. Sidran Inst. P.57

  14. Other Emotional Consequences • Guilt and Shame • Spiritual abuse • Morality • Self-fulfilling prophesy • The spousal relationship • Attachments threaten leader • Reparation • Identification with the aggressor (leader)

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