[mikeintexas]

I thought I'd post a quick update on my daughter Julia. Most of you know she is 7, adopted about 17 months ago from Russia. Recently, we received a RAD diagnosis.

However, we started attachment therapy yesterday (with a real attachment therapist) and it appears we are dealing primarily with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this leads, in Julia's case, to some attachment problems. The trauma comes from being born in the hospital in Russia and signed over immediately to the orphanage. Hence, most of the trauma is physiological, not psychological, hence the need to treat it a particular way.

Now we just have had two sessions with this doctor (and only 1 in which he worked with Julia), but I must tell you that I think he is on to something.

Anyhow, this is a good example of why it is important to find a good attachment therapist (NOT a regular therapist who does cognitive/behavioral therapy). If he had continued to try and treat her RAD w/out treating the PTSD, we would have gone nowhere. And that's about as far as we'd gone anyhow.

Here is an excellent overview of it and its connection to orphans. http://www.attach-china.org/ptsd.html#anchor1548260

SO, those of you reading up on attachment and reactive attachment, include PTSD in orphans on your reading list.

Mike

[MamaChinch]

Mike ~ Good to know there's some constructive progress on the way for you all !! Julia is a lucky girl to have parents seeking to do the right thing!
Prayers for you all ~

[votemom]

wow - fascinating. please continue to give us updates as you feel appropriate. it's great to see these hurt children make progress in the healing.

may God continue to strengthen your whole family as you ALL continue this journey.

[k8c]

What encouraging news, Mike. Finding someone who can help identify the hurt must surely be a big step in the healing process.

You and your family continue to be upheld in prayer.

[GCS]

Thank you for posting this.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately on PTSD. I believe this is something we have been dealing with from the beginning as well.

This is very helpful!

Christina

[mommyto4]

Mike, I am so happy ya'll have found out what will hopefully help your precious family and Julia. Thanks for the update and you and your family continue to be in our prayers. God Bless

[angelkisses0102]

Thank you so much for sharing this Mike...there are so many symptoms which mirror each other in so many of the issues some of our PI kids face. I am happy that you have found the right person to help heal sweet Julia. Please keep us up to date and we will keep you in our prayers!

[Lorraine123]

I think its almost impossible for a child to have RAD without PTSD. It good that the therapist sees that. I also agree that the trauma must be dealt with before attachment can be achieved. Good luck to you. Its hard work.

[Sally26]

Thanks for sharing your update. I'm so thankful that through your diligence you have found the key to helping Julia. Thanks for passing it along. I pray that Julia continues to heal and that yall continue to be strong.

[Kendal]

Mike I am so glad to hear that you have found someone to help Julia. A good therapist is key in healing. You have my continued prayers.

[LilyMoon]

Hi Mike -

Thanks for the update on Julia. I am so glad to hear that you have found the right person to help you. It must feel good to have a grasp on what you are dealing with and a therapist that is well versed in helping this issue. I wish you the very best with your new direction. Keep us posted!

[maddensmom]

Thanks so much for sharing this Mike.

[Amysue1112]

So great to hear things are going in the right direction!!
I will be praying that you continue to see progress and Julia's heart continues to heal!

[happyhome]

This is very encouraging! Sounds like your hard work is really leading to something positive for your beautiful Julia. Thank you so much for the update.

[emjay]

So glad to see that you are getting some answers to help in Julia's healing. Continued prayers for strength as you continue the process, and for additional progress.