Different Degrees of Trauma by Frederick Woolverton - Essay Example

? A Review of the Article, “Different Degrees of Trauma,” by Frederick Woolverton, Ph D Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact A Review of the Article, “Different Degrees of Trauma,” by Frederick Woolverton, Ph D Introduction: The article, “Different Degrees of Trauma,” written by Frederick Woolverton, Ph D, appearing on the website of “Psychology Today” deals with the sensation an infant has as he or she comes out from the mother’s womb into the new world and further sensations the child undergoes thenceforth. The author also dwells on the effects of traumas that a person suffers early in his or her childhood. The author is the “Director of The Village Institute for Psycho Therapy in Manhattan and Fayetteville, Arkansas and the co-author of the book Unhooked” (Woolverton, 2011). The article is one from a series of articles on the topic of “Trauma” appearing on this website and written by the same author. Summary of the Article: The author starts off the article by mentioning some readers’ reaction on a previous article written by him that discusses the “notion of being born into trauma” and reacts to it by challenging a reader’s contention that “trauma is absent altogether from the birthing process” (Woolverton, 2011). The article’s main focus is the sensations a new born child has when he or she is “transitioning from the safety comfort of the womb in to the complexity and confusion of the external world” (Woolverton, 2011). . This is mainly because the baby, when inside the womb, remains in the safety of a cocoon where all its needs are met through the mother’s body. On the other hand, when the child comes on to the external world it needs care and nurturing by a care giver, which usually will be the mother. The early childhood experiences including what a child smells and taste have long lasting effects on the behavior into an adult. Studies reveal that infants “not only detect, discriminate, and have preference for odor and taste based on earlier fetal exposure but also show associate learning of both pleasant and unpleasant taste and odor experiences that influence their behavior throughout their lifetime” (Browne, 2008). Thus, the sensations a reason undergoes during childhood can be perceived as having a crucial role in the behavior development of that individual. Thus, care giving to a new born is a significant task that has high relevance in the formation of its behavior. Besides, the care giver also needs foster in the child’s mind “a sense that the world a safe place” which the author claims, will determine “the degree of trauma that remains” in his or her mind as he or she grows up (Woolverton, 2011). Thus, in order to be able to provide the right hind of treatment to individuals who are traumatized, an understanding of the concept of early psychic trauma becomes in evitable. This understanding, according to the author, will enable the rapists to “better anticipate both a person’s emotional response to present day trauma and the psychological resources and defense that are mobilized in an effort to cope with trauma in later years”(Woolverton, 2011). The author uses his personal experience in treating a patient John, to illustrate how “being born in to trauma” impacts the “psychological response one person had to a present day trauma” (Woolverton, 2011). John remained an abused child, deprived and uncared for, till he attained the age of eight. He perceives the world as an unsafe place and considers others as selfish and cruel. After a stint in Afghanistan, he returns home and becomes an alcoholic. He goes to the author for treatment at a stage when he had “given up on life” and he is diagnosed as a case of “Developmental Trauma Disorder” (Woolverton, 2011). His main problem was the lack of care during early childhood, coupled with the constant abuse that he had to undergo till he reached the age of eight, when he was adopted by a couple who provided him some care. Evidence suggests that “memories of especially traumatic events, including severe child abuse, are re-experienced later in life on a sensory level, for example, as flashbacks” (Briere, 2002). This has, obviously happened in the case of John also. The therapy offered John a sense of having been understood as never before and he quits drinking. The author concludes the article by contending that “being born into trauma” and not receiving proper care acts as a foundation for trauma that a person may undergo at a later stage in his or her life (Woolverton, 2011). Critique of the Article/Research: The research in the article basically relates to a case study and what the author has gleaned from his personal experience while treating the patient. The research method that the author has used is based on a qualitative approach through a detailed analysis of a sample, who is the author’s patient. The case study dwells on the psychological profile of the patient and different circumstances that caused the problems in him. The author has also dwelled on the relationship of the patient with his wife and how he perceives it, causing him a further apprehension that she may leave him if he continues drinking, in which event he will have to end his life. The author, being an experienced professional in the field of psychotherapy, possesses sound knowledge and valid experience to write on the topic that the article deals with. Thus, no additional research is warranted in the instant case. The random sample, John, used in the case study is an appropriate subject to illustrate the impact of being “born into trauma” on “psychological response one person had to a present day trauma” (Woolverton, 2011). The author’s claims and contentions are credible and well grounded on his knowledge as well as professional experience. The facts relevant to the case study have been analyzed and explained quite well. On the flipside, one shortcoming exists in the article that the author remains silent about the traumatic experience of John during the combat in Afghanistan. Evidence exists to suggest that “fear associated with combat memory” may make “attempts to find safety” when they encounter any situation that reminds them of the combat, like the backfiring of a vehicle engine ((Briere, 2002). The article would have been much more exhaustive if the author were to provide some insight to his readers about John’s traumatic experience during the Afghan stint and how he has responded to it. Critique of the Website: The article appears on the website of “Psychology Today,” published by Sussex Publishers, LLC. The layout of the web pages is pleasant to the eye and it is found to be user friendly. Further links to different pages are available on the topside, thus making navigation easy. Though the website hosts a lot of advertisements, these do not interfere with browsing and the person using the site is able to access information in various links in a seamless manner. The page, where the article appears, provides very accurate details about the author and his credentials. Though the email ID or contact phone numbers are not provided, any person interested in contacting the writer can get in touch with him through his physical address available at the bottom side of the article. The site falls in the .com domain and one can view all information properly, without any limitations in terms of subscription fee, membership etc. It is accessible through any of the computer systems and normal internet connection. It requires no specific software to view the website and their server seems to be sophisticated as the pages are opening pretty fast. Overall, it is a credible, authentic and useful source for accessing information on psychology related topics. Reference List Briere, J. (2002). Treating Adult Survivors of Severe Childhood Abuse and Neglect: Further Development of an Integrative Model. Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences. University of Southern California. Retrieved from http://www.delphicentre.com.au/STM1.pdf Browne, J. V. (2008). Chemosensory Development in the Fetus and Newborn. Elsevier Inc. Retrieved from http://www.wonderbabiesco.org/UserFiles/File/Browne%20chemosensory%2008.pdf Woolverton, F. (2011). The Trauma-Addiction Connection. Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-trauma-addiction-connection/201112/different-degrees-trauma?page=2 Read More