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A case study of traumatic stress disorder in a 5-month-old infant following surgery
1The Aware Parenting Institute, Goleta, California.
Insights
This case study shows that exposure therapy can effectively treat traumatic stress disorder in infants following surgery. Parental implementation of flooding therapy led to symptom resolution and normal development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Infant Mental Health
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Infants hospitalized for procedures like cranial remodeling can develop trauma symptoms.
- Symptoms may resemble those seen in other preverbal hospitalization studies.
- Diagnosis of traumatic stress disorder (DC:0-3) is possible in preverbal infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case study of an infant diagnosed with traumatic stress disorder.
- To describe the application of exposure therapy (flooding) for infant trauma.
- To evaluate the efficacy of parental-led therapy for infant post-surgical trauma.
Main Methods:
- A 5-month-old infant with post-surgical trauma symptoms was treated.
- Parents implemented exposure therapy (flooding) with a somatic trigger under consultation.
- The infant experienced full emotional release during treatment sessions.
Main Results:
- Positive outcomes observed, with symptom reduction within one week.
- Complete resolution of traumatic stress disorder symptoms within two months.
- One-year follow-up confirmed normal development and no symptom recurrence.
Conclusions:
- Exposure therapy, particularly flooding, can be effective for infant traumatic stress disorder.
- Parental involvement and emotional release, including crying, appear therapeutic.
- Guidelines for using intense exposure therapy with infants are proposed.
Abstract:
This case study of a 5-month-old infant describes the symptoms of trauma following a surgical procedure (cranial remodeling) with short-term hospital stay. The infant showed a symptomatology similar to that found in other studies of hospitalization during the preverbal period, and fit the diagnosis of traumatic stress disorder according to the DC:0-3. The therapy was implemented by the parents in consultation with the author. The approach was based on an exposure therapy model (flooding) using a somatic trauma trigger that occurred spontaneously in the context of a normal caretaking routine. The infant was allowed to have a full-blown emotional response during several treatment sessions. The outcome was positive, with the disappearance of some symptoms of traumatic stress disorder after the first week, and no remaining symptoms after two months. Periodic follow-up evaluations for one year revealed normal development with no return of symptoms. The symptoms, treatment, and outcomes are discussed in the context of behavioral learning theory and emotional processing theory. The role of crying during flooding therapy is discussed, and an emotional release theory emphasizing the therapeutic value of crying is proposed. Six cautionary guidelines are offered for the use of intense exposure therapy with infants.
