Re: borderline personality or PTSD?

["Judy M. Laurendine" <msju@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The resiliency research suggests that not all child abuse results in the
need for treatment and also suggests that some people heal to the point of
developing stronger-- more resilient--in the "what doesn't kill you will
make you stronger vein."  It's my contention that why this occurs is fairly
easily explained by social support, attribution of blame, and sometimes by
the modus operandi of the perpetrator, (i.e. were they tricked, coerced,
forced, etc into the victim position).  I agree that all child abuse has
consequences and that it "rewires the brain" but I don't agree that it all
ends up in serious consequences .........the way in which it is handled is
crucial to the healing process and if there is support, particularly from a
parent, and the person doesn't blame themselves or others and does place
responsibility on the perpetrator there appears to be a good chance for
healing.  The problem I think people are having with these comments is that
it doesn't seem to leave any room for discussion of healing...many many
people experience abuse and heal and go on to have "normal lives."   We see
the others.  Many others should be in treatment (the walking wounded) and
aren't but I do not agree that all people abused as children continue to
have serious consequences on into adulthood.  As I said I think that this is
related to the handling of the traumatic incident(s) and therefore the
lessening of secondary trauma which is so damaging.  Judy
----- Original Message -----
From: <Ewartcme@xxxxxxx>
To: "Child Maltreatment Researchers"
<CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 4:42 PM
Subject: Re: borderline personality or PTSD?


> I do maintain that child abuse has permanent consequences--for some,
minor;
> for others, devastating. I also postulate in my book that child abuse, if
> severe enough, mangles the personality and sets up a "false self" that
> actually attracts predators throughout life, each one worse than the one
> before.
>
> Yes, in many but not all cases, there is a strong correlation between
> borderline personality and PTSD. According to my personal experience only,
> BPD  is a misdiagnosis much of the time.
>
> I have offered the list free sample chapters from my book upon email
request.
>
> Regards,
> Bruce
> (Heyward Bruce Ewart, Ph.D.)
> High Risk Action Council of South Carolina
>