Posted by Brian C. on July 31, 2000 at 12:21:09:
In Reply to: Re: Book Title: Women who hurt themselves. posted by Andy on July 31, 2000 at 04:19:29:
From Kirkus Reviews , March 15, 1994
Women Who Hurt Themselves explores the suffering of women who reenact childhood trauma, particularly abuse or neglect, through
self-destructive behavior. Miller is a therapist who has treated hundreds of women with this condition (which she labels Trauma
Reenactment Syndrome, or TRS) and whose behaviors include self-mutilation, alcoholism, drug addiction, and eating disorders. She
argues that women with TRS did not feel protected as children, and thus have trouble protecting themselves as adults. She explains what
TRS is and outlines her therapeutic program, which begins by exploring the symptoms and, as therapist and patient develop a trusting
relationship, gradually moves into an examination of the original trauma. The goal of therapy is for the patient to develop her own
``protective presence.'' Miller's responsiveness as a therapist is evident; she warns against blind adherence to existing formulas, stressing
the need for multifaceted approaches to abuse and addiction. She cautiously avoids buzzwords and admirably emphasizes the differences
in women's situations. However, the breadth of experiences that could be described as traumatic, and of behaviors that could be called
self-destructive (chain-smoking and sexual promiscuity are included), make this book confusing for the lay reader. Surely women inflict
violence on themselves for a variety of reasons; like much recovery literature, Women Who Hurt Themselves may exaggerate the
explanatory power of trauma. Further confusing the discussion are the many traits that Miller attributes to TRS that are actually common
to women with a wide variety of histories--excessive apologizing, for example, or caring for others at the expense of oneself. Women
Who Hurt Themselves should be helpful to mental health professionals who work with female trauma survivors, though some of its
generalities should be taken with caution. -
Another author is Lenore Walke: Battered Women. Much of this material falls into "recovery" material rather than "Clinical Text."
Some people are very difficult to help and even harder to have a relationship.