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Professional Psychotherapy &

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​Sven Schild, PhD, TCC

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INFORMATION DEPRIVATION TRAUMA: 

DEFINITION, ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTIONS
Abstract​

Information Deprivation Trauma (IDT; Schild & Dalenberg, 2012b) is a concept that has not been adequately addressed in the trauma literature. IDT is a concept requiring a negative emotional response (e.g., fear, helplessness, horror) consequent to (a) a lack of understanding of the extent/magnitude/ consequences/probability of a current or impending meaningful event and (b) an inability to access information about this event that would reasonably allow a person to prepare, appropriately respond, and/or self-protect.  Arguments are presented that information deprivation itself may constitute a trauma, in addition to and apart from the possibility that information deprivation may enhance vulnerability to traumatization. Clinical examples are provided and the Information Deprivation Trauma Interview (IDTI) is introduced for use in clinical and research settings.