Adopted Child Syndrome

The Adopted Child Syndrome is a controversial disorder that allegedly occurs in adopted children. It is considered by some scientists as a sub-form of post-traumatic stress disorder. Its existence is very often discussed by opponents of adoption. The name goes back to David Kirschner. However, this was of the opinion that the Adopted Child Syndrome is only a small subset of individuals, and not a general problem of adopted children. The syndrome is described inter alia in the books of Betty Jean Lifton psychologist, which is itself adopted. It is controversial whether an independent Adopted Child Syndrome exists. The syndrome is not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association and is not described in the DSM IV.

Literature ( sources)

  • Betty Jean Lifton: Journey Of The Adopted Self: A Quest For Wholeness. 1995, ISBN 978-0-465-03675-2
  • Nancy Verrier: The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child. 1993, ISBN 978-0-9636480-0-6
30982
de