Psychosis and The Traumatised Self

by John Rhodes

Psychosis and the Traumatised Self explores what it is like to experience psychosis for individuals with histories of childhood physical and sexual abuse. The book additionally explores how meaning expressed in psychosis might originate from the effects of abuse, but also long-term life difficulties, motivations, memories, social history, and struggles to narrate and understand. One chapter focuses on refugees who suffered trauma as adults and later became psychotic. Another chapter examines how trauma leads to the destruction of certainty and trust, thereby opening a pathway to persecutory ideas. Drawing on a developmental model of trauma, it is proposed that dissociated parts of the self that developed during childhood contribute to psychosis in adults when undergoing difficulties and stress. Presented with case illustrations, the book will be useful for those who work in the area of psychosis and abuse to understand the experiences of individuals, and how we might develop appropriate therapy and care.

192 pages, Hardcover

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

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Reviews

[Alex Enahoro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give 3.5 stars if possible. It was very jargon heavy. However the case studies were well presented and accessible, and really inspired me as a mental health professional.

What it really conveyed was how mistrust underlines psychotic episodes. That theory was well explored.

It also explained the connections between trauma and psychotic episodes very coherently.

It is untimely a hopeful and compassionate read which I am finding very useful in my work.