Overview

This is a multi-authored book on the complex subject of psychic trauma as encountered at different stages of the life-cycle, and describes some of the clinical challenges, technical issues and differing theoretical approaches that arise when working with the traumatized individual. The concept of psychic trauma is a complex subject, but one which has more recently gained prominence.

Content and Origins

This book contains a collection of papers which grew out of a series of talks given by the Psychoanalytic Forum of the British Psychoanalytical Society entitled Trauma Through the Life Cycle. The authors, all highly respected authorities in their fields, give insights into what we mean by psychic trauma, what constitutes a traumatic event, and the psychopathological sequelae to trauma at different stages of life.

Contributors and Perspectives

Judith Trowell and Nick Midgley look at the effects of infantile and childhood traumas. Catalina Bronstein and Sara Flanders, from differing psychoanalytic perspectives, consider how childhood traumas can become reactivated in adolescence and colour subsequent developmental situations.