EMDR Forum Archive, 1999
Re: Second generation and vicarious trauma
Shapiro · 5/9/99 at 5:05 pm ET
What you are describing is a common reaction for the children of concentration camp survivors. Vicarious traumatization occurs in many people simply from hearing the stories of those who have been victimized. You also had to bear the burden of your parents' pain. EMDR is very useful in dealing with these types of experiential contributors to current problems. Traumatization can occur if you were actually there, or simply heard the stories, or bore the pain of the silence. The pain is real for you, but you are not to blame for it. Childhoods filled with this type of pain, or neglect, or abuse can be equally devastating. Regardless of how well intentioned your parents were--and I'm sure they did they best they could--you couldn't help but take it in during your very vulnerable years. Make sure if you decide to use EMDR that you find a clinician who is fully trained and comfortable with your problem. Since the experience occurred throughout your childhood this will not be three-session therapy. Just be patient and gentle with yourself during the course of treatment. Reprocessing is not forgetting, so don't worry about that. It simply means being liberated into the present instead of being chained to the past.
Replies:
|
| Behavior OnLine Home Page | Disclaimer |
Copyright © 1996-2004 Behavior OnLine, Inc. All rights reserved.
