DDA is the syndrome of an adult child of an alcoholic, i.e. a set of characteristics that occur in people raised in families affected by the problem of alcoholism. In adult life, m.in manifests itself. fear, distrust and low self-esteem. Treatment consists of psychotherapy, which can last up to several years, but has a very good effect on the comfort of life and the quality of the relationships established.
Symptoms of DDA
People with adult child alcoholic syndrome often struggle with:
- fear,
- shame,
- lack of trust in others,
- problems with expressing feelings,
- low self-esteem,
- personality disorders,
- difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships,
- alcoholism and other addictions (they are a form of escape from difficult emotions and duplication of negative patterns).
A characteristic feature of children raised in DDA families is also the assumption of one of the roles: hero, mascot, scapegoat or shadow child. This determines not only the way we behave in childhood, but also in adult life.
These roles mean:
- The hero – a child who takes on the role of an adult, in mature life is a perfectionist and a workaholic who does not care about his own needs.
- Scapegoat – in childhood he was blamed for problems, so in adulthood he is accompanied by a sense of guilt and lack of self-confidence.
- Mascot – as a child, she tries to take care of the good mood of all household members and relieve tension with humor, as an adult she similarly struggles with tension, so she is not taken seriously.
- Shadow – as a child he tries to go unnoticed so as not to be a source of additional problems, as an adult he closes himself in his own world and does not know how to express his needs.
DDA treatment
Treatment of DDA consists of long-term psychotherapy, which serves to work through difficult experiences and eliminate incorrect patterns of thinking and behavior. An important role is played by the development of the ability to express emotions and the development of social competences. A combination of individual and group therapy gives very good results.