Case Study: Insecure-Avoidant Abuse

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Christy is a 26 year old female who grew up in Sevierville. Until the age of eight Christy received a strong neurophysiological foundation. Her family didn’t have much money but she was well cared for. When Christy turned eight her father was in a work accident, Christy was neglected and abused. At age sixteen Christy was raped by a twenty-six year old man and was tricked into marrying him. Ten years after the marriage they have five children together, one who is autistic. The husband, Billy, is abusive to her and the children. For many generations Christy’s family has lived in poverty. According to (site) epigenetics can be passed down from generation to generation. It can be suggested that because Christy’s family has lived in the same …show more content…

This suggests habituation. It could be generalized that she now believes all males older than she is are abusive and will hurt her in some way. This could potentially hold her back from leaving her current situation, it could lead to mistrust of any social worker or counselor who is a male and prohibit any male friendship she might be offered.
Do to the abuse and neglect that occurred it is possible that Christy struggles with attachment. It appears that Christy may have insecure-avoidant attachment. Insecure-avoidant attachment is often used as a way of coping and protecting oneself from neglect (Davies, 2010). Christy has a history of neglect which makes is possible for her to have some type of attachment disorder. Attachment disorders are normally studied and viewed in young children but could also be used as a coping mechanism in older children and adults.
Christy is unique, what goes on inside her brain and body are distinctive. While it cannot be decided exactly what is going on many ideas can be suggest. Attachment, development, neglect, abuse, and what goes on inside the brain because of those are key to understanding trauma. The knowledge and insight gained from Christy can lead to better understanding in similar

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