Posted by 64bowtie on August 5, 2004, at 2:53:47
Ode to a Rotten Childhood from Hell.
Over and over, meeting after meeting, participants shared there recollections of their peculiar family “drama-trauma”. After a short while, each unique story had toooo many elements in common. Toooo many sounded the same, just different names and cities. Mine, toooo. Need I go into details?
“King-Baby” ain’t in the DSM-VI
Rick Potter, a therapist from Long Beach who had many one-on-one patients as well as group members report their common horror stories. Most contain a common character who acted out in similar ways, and controlled the family and it’s members with outrageous and inappropriate demands and behavior. Searching for a categorical and functional label, therapist Potter settled on “King-Baby”. These characters made demands with impunity, a “professional-victim”, incapable of self-sufficiency. Who is the most common family member in all these stories? Dear old Dad. Less common is an uncle, next an oldest child, and perhaps often, a grandparent.
“The Whole Catastrophe”
Prophetic words of Zorba the Greek describing his own family “drama-trauma”.What's it Like?
All toooo often, Dad had plans to be up and out of the house by the early morning, terrorizing all to be ready. Some time in the early afternoon, he emerges from the bedroom, scratching his butt, wondering what everyone was doing just sitting around, and thinks nothing of complaining and coercing anyone and everyone oblivious to his earlier failings. For this family, this is a daily nightmare. Many times these stories are linked to episodes of alcohol abuse by “King-Baby”.
Life with Father.....
Life in the dysfunctional family with a “King Baby” is hell on earth. Others accomplishments are belittled, failures are exaggerated, savings are raided, and decency is non-existed. Children are sexually molested, the living quarters are horrid, and the language is abusive. No-one can achieve anything significant such as college, jobs, or home ownership. …definitely no social redeeming quality.
Let's hear it....
I welcome you to share your stories of your “King-Baby”. If I’ve left out anything important, feel free to correct me.
Rod
poster:64bowtie
thread:374250
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040728/msgs/374250.html