Addendum to a case of traumatic neurosis: consideration of family dynamics

The previously reported case of a youmg boy who had experienced a severe trauma is reviewed. The initial report had described the concepts of psychic trauma and traumatic neurosis and had conceptualized the case in terms of these concepts. In this second report, an addendum to the first, the later reassessment of the case is reported and important contributory family dynamics are identified. It is concluded that the importance of the concept of traumatic neurosis with its emphasis on the inner world of the child, must leave the diagnostician ever aware of the inner worlds of the parents and to the dynamics of family life.