Question:
Two days ago, a very knowledgeable adoptee friend and I discussed the
severe, negative and long-lasting emotional consequences of adoption
separation. We are familiar with the symptoms of PTSD, and agreed that we
had seen them not only in ourselves, but in many other adoptees and birth
parents. These symptoms occur no matter how outwardly well-adjusted
and high-achieving they are, and can take years to resolve. If a chemical
in our drinking water were linked in any way to the same stress and
emotional damage among the 'normal' population that we see in the adoptee-
birthparent population, it would become shocking front-page news. But,
because adoption is glorified in our society, and adoptees and birth
parents considered an unstable, untrustworthy, expendable population, the
emotional harm they suffer in adoption is ignored or downplayed.
Answer:
Following is some general information on traumatic crisis reactions,
including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), excerpted from _Malicious
Intent_, by Sean McIntire (1995), Ohio: Writer's Digest. Although this
book focuses on sociopathic behavior and its consequences for victims,
the information on crisis reactions pertains to many birth mothers and
adoptees, and reflects the hidden, pathological side of adoption:
"There are three phases that will occur when crisis hits, even if
the victim is psychologically healthy. These phases are:
1. *The impact phase* -- This is the acute reaction to crisis.
Symptoms are shock, disbelief, dismay, anxiety, unstable emotions,
and a severe inability to function. This reaction is immediate
can last for months, sometimes years, depending on the victim's
ability to cope.
2. *The recoil phase* -- This is the period of outward adjustment
to the crisis. The acute symptoms diminish and victims gradually
return to a near-normal level of functioning. Routine business
of living slowly resumes, even though, sometimes, victims will
continue to deny the true consequences of the crises. This is a
natural defense mechanism for victims, as they are attempting to
protect themselves and others from the "danger." Also, victims'
interests may expand to concern for others. This phase begins
as soon as the victim comes to terms with the acute phase.
3. *Long-term reorganization phase* -- This is the period of
integration and resolution of fears and pain. This is also the
time when victims grow into survivors. The attempt to adapt the
crises experiences into their lives, as well as try to
understand and resolve the meaning they have found attached to
their survival of the crises. Even though these new "survivors"
have found strength they never knew existed, it is not uncommon
for them to occasionally experience feelings of loss and
depression. This is a natural and necessary feeling.
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
For many years, the public has been under the misconception that
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) is a psychiatric disorder only
experienced by combat veterans. However, the reality is that anyone who
has experienced a traumatic crisis will experience and exhibit the
symptoms of PTSS. Symptoms that are commonly seen by doctors examining
victims of a traumatic event or traumatic crisis include:
1. Prolonged shock and emotional numbness
2. Insomnia
3. Nightmares
4. Abuse of prescription drugs and/or alcohol
5. Trembling
6. Sudden, unexplainable bouts of crying
7. Disorientation
8. Fear and hypervigilance
9. Acute anxiety with occasional panic attacks -- likely to occur when
the victim is somehow reminded of the trauma or around the time of the
anniversary of the trauma.
10. Depression
11. Helplessness
12. Loss of control or inability to manage control.
13. Gradual change into a dependent state
14. Violent bursts of temper
15. Aggression
16. Fatigue
17. Physical ailments
*Chest pain
*Heart attack
*Ulcers
*Seizures
*Partial paralysis
*Arthritic-type muscle pain
18. Delusions and other neurotic behavior
19. Suicidal tendencies related to loss of hope after prolonged
experience of above symptoms.
Victims are under the crushing weight of severe emotional pain and
deep psychological wounds. These wounds are prone to reopening time and
time again...
...For many victim-survivors, there is no ability to put closure
on the impact of the event, especially in cases of missing children and
abduction/murders with no bodies being found...".
