“If you’re not safe anywhere, you turn it inside yourself”: Narratives about childhood experiences told by 12 individuals diagnosed with psychosis

Jennifer Strand and Inga Tidefors

Psychosis, 2012, vol. 4, issue 2, 137-148

Abstract: The aim was to study what patients diagnosed with psychosis related about early relationships with caregivers and about themselves as children. Data consisted of transcripts of 12 interviews, which were analyzed according to a thematic analysis. Through the narratives, a picture emerged of parents who had been unable to put aside their own difficulties and negative emotions. Parents were portrayed as sexually, physically, and/or emotionally abusive, often in tandem with a non-abusive parent described as passive. A family atmosphere marked by silence became visible. Further, a picture appeared of an introverted and “conformable” child, who had handled sadness, as well as fear, alone. Childhood strategies such as daydreaming and ”trying to become invisible” emerged. These strategies resemble what in other frames of reference are often regarded as childhood symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Consequently, it could be questioned whether what are commonly viewed as early symptoms of schizophrenia might instead be the child’s attempts to adapt, in order to survive in a disorganized family. The aim was to study what patients diagnosed with psychosis related about early relationships with caregivers and about themselves as children. Data consisted of transcripts of 12 interviews, which were analyzed according to a thematic analysis. Through the narratives, a picture emerged of parents who had been unable to put aside their own difficulties and negative emotions. Parents were portrayed as sexually, physically, and/or emotionally abusive, often in tandem with a non-abusive parent described as passive. A family atmosphere marked by silence became visible. Further, a picture appeared of an introverted and “conformable” child, who had handled sadness, as well as fear, alone. Childhood strategies such as daydreaming and ”trying to become invisible” emerged. These strategies resemble what in other frames of reference are often regarded as childhood symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Consequently, it could be questioned whether what are commonly viewed as early symptoms of schizophrenia might instead be the child’s attempts to adapt, in order to survive in a disorganized family.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2011.573084

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