“As the survivor struggles with the tasks of adult life, the legacy of her childhood becomes increasingly burdensome. Eventually, often in the fourth or fifth decade of life, the defensive structure may begin to break down. Often the precipitant is a change in the equilibrium of close relationships: The failure of a marriage, the illness or death of a parent. The facade can hold no longer, and the underlying fragmentation becomes manifest. When and if a breakdown occurs, it can take symptomatic forms that mimic virtually every form of psychiatric disorder. Survivors fear that they are going insane or will have to die (Judith Herman, 1992 p. 114).” – Judith Herman
Profound understanding of the human spirit in just a few lines. Between knowledge and freedom, there is a lot of work. Thank you Judith Herman for those wise words.
Martin Pham Dinh 