Why INSIDE is OUT - Part 2

Using the thread analogy from our previous blog, you have followed your threads of thoughts, sought answers to more questions and now you have woven a tapestry. It may take years to create. I know Tim as a therapist with a teacher’s heart. Tim is an experiential and illustrative teacher. He chose to use a journal written by an amalgamated client named Tom. Through Tom, readers can observe the “jungle war” of the RAD person. Tim shares with you what he has learned to be effective in his work with RAD clients and families. Whether you are a professional working with RAD clients or an individual impacted by RAD, you will gain insight into the complex inner thoughts and relational constructs by reading through Tom’s journal. You’ll learn by written word and in the visual presentation from the font chosen to the movement/placement of Tom’s words in his journal.

 Why INSIDE is OUT, according to author, Tim:

The child, teen or adult who has a continual revolving door of diagnostic labels being thrown at them is more than likely acting out of their “fight” side of the “fight or flight” survival reaction portion of the brain. It’s what gets them noticed.  The reason for the many diagnostic labels and all the conflicting opinions for the behavior is because it’s the tactics that are being identified not the underlying issue.  But if the person tends more to the “flight” side of the reactionary brain, what behaviors do you see?  None.  That’s the point.  The compliant—think camouflage—behaviors are acceptable for the most part and the person gets left unbothered. Still, underneath the camouflage there’s a reactive brain and a person who has attachment issues just as serious as their “fight” counter part.

INSIDE: Understanding How Reactive Attachment Disorder Thinks and Feels is a compilation of the thoughts, reactions and belief patterns I have heard over my 27 years as a therapist.   It represents what numerous clients who have RAD, or RAD dynamics, have shared with me during my time in private practice, residential treatment center and in psychiatric hospital settings.  It is representative of people across the entire spectrum, male and female, teen and senior; whether officially diagnosed with a mental disorder or not.  This is what they said life is like for them as teens and adults.

I wrote INSIDE for two primary audiences. First is for the professional working as a psychologist, therapist, school teacher, youth worker, social worker, probation officer, etc. who encounters such a person in their line of work. The second is for any friend or family member of such a person, to help them gain a better understanding of the dynamics of what’s behind the behaviors they currently see in their friend and/or loved one.

INSIDE: Understanding How Reactive Attachment Disorder Thinks and Feels is a deep gaze inside the world of the RAD person.  

In the Afterword, Tim includes practical information and valuable tools to be used by readers. There is an Overview of Trauma, Specific Notes on Children and Teenagers, and The Healing Journey. Specifically for RAD persons there’s an outline for personal work included. Take another step (one was reading this blog) toward leaving the jungle war and move toward the hope of a different life.