Life After Captivity
The three women imprisoned in a Cleveland home for a decade are home now and can begin the healing process. How were they able to survive? Will they, can they, have a ‘normal’ life going forward?
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Professor of Psychology Steven Gold, Ph.D., is able to cast some light on this topic. Gold is also the Director of NSU’s Trauma Resolution Integration Program.
“In these types of extreme and long-term conditions people commonly survive by dissociating, that is, by disconnecting to a great extent from their immediate surroundings and from their own experience, shutting down emotionally and often even on a sensory level”, says Gold. “This is largely an automatic process rather than an intentional one, a reflexive survival mechanism. This is often a fairly automatic response that is not primarily conscious and intentional, although it can be boosted by conscious intention. Think of a time you were faced with an emergency. You can't afford to stop and think. To respond effectively you have to act instinctively, on ‘automatic pilot’, and you similarly cannot afford to be distracted by immediate concerns like fear and physical pain.
When a dire situation goes on for long periods of time, living on automatic pilot and being relatively oblivious to emotional and physical discomfort is not just a momentarily triggered response. It becomes a constant state and a way of life. This is what needs to be reversed when the dire circumstances finally end and the person is faced with readjusting to ‘business as usual’.
Once the person is free, reversing the shut-down mechanism and adjusting to everyday life is often a major challenge. Successful navigation of the challenges of readjustment can be assisted immeasurably by a psychotherapist who has specific expertise in psychological trauma and dissociation.
Gold can be reached directly at:Steven N. Gold, Ph.D.Cell: 954-303-2030Office: (954) 262-5714 officeEmail: [email protected]
Trauma Resolution Integration ProgramThis program created by Nova Southeastern University's Psychological Services Center treats individuals age 18 and above who have been exposed to a traumatic situation and are currently experiencing problems in functioning as a result of the traumatic experience. Examples of traumatic situations include childhood abuse, rape, physical assault, or a life-threatening accident or injury that creates ongoing distress that interferes with day-to-day functioning and maintaining satisfactory interpersonal relationships.
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