The Shrink Tank

Psychotherapy in practice, research, and pop culture.

New Treatments to Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

From drugs to digital worlds, researchers are testing innovative treatments for PTSD. Read More

RE: "Presence of emotional detachment/numbing/dissociation"

I can name this movie: "The Deer Hunter." Christopher Walken's character Nick embodies the "Presence of emotional detachment/numbing/dissociation." He gambles with his life.

PTSD

I was sexually abused from the time I was 3 until I was finally able to escape at age 18. First by a step faher then carried on by my fraternal grandfather. My mother was told when I was 8 and she beat me pretty bad and then continued to send me to the same grand father every summer and holiday. My parents were both involved in drugs most of my life, that is when my father decided to be there. My parents were split up when I was but a baby and my mother pretty much raised me. Anyway Since then I can not seem to stay in a relationship. I conti ue to do stupid things to push the other away and even if I see me doing it thee is something in me that prevents me from stopping the behavior, until it is too late. I end up hurting everyone and then in the end losing my loved ones. I have undergone counseling on and off for years, but still once someone tells me they love me it is like a trigger is turner on and I have to hurt them before they hurt me. Is there a cure for this?

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Jared DeFife, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and research scientist at Emory University and Associate Director of the Laboratory of Personality and Psychopathology.

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