AAC- Outside Perspectives

In her book, "Trauma and Recovery: From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror," Judith Herman posits that debilitating psychological effects of trauma are the same across the entire range of traumatic experience. (Traumas she discusses in the book include the experience of physical and sexual abuse, warfare, and traumatic events such as accidents and natural disasters, among others.) But Herman also points out that the process of healing from traumas must begin with event-specific therapy- physical abuse survivors work and heal amongst other physical abuse survivors, Katrina survivors with other survivors, etc. Over time, if therapy goes well, survivors comprehend the more universal aspects of trauma as human experience.

The AAC conference included attendees and presenters who were "outsiders" to adoption but were professionals in areas of trauma and recovery. Their insights were valid and valuable. Yet I wondered whether one aspect of their presentations (their presentations of themselves, that is)was problematic, at least for some triad members. Given Judith Herman's observations on the arc of healing from trauma, there could be some triad members who are not "ready" to hear a comment such as, "I'm not a triad member, but I am an incest survivor," for example.

I understand the sentiment behind what's being said, especially after reading Judith Herman's book. By the same token, I personally could not stand among, say, a group of war veterans and say, "I understand where you're at. I'm not a war vet, but I am an adoptee." I'd be interested to hear others' thoughts on this.

I highly recommend Judith Herman's book. ***An important note..."Trauma and Recovery" does not directly address or acknowledge adoption/separation as a form of trauma. However, the adoptee who has connected with and absorbed the concept of having been traumatized by separation will readily identify with the concepts described in the book.