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Anniversary reactions: Trauma revisited

Clinical Social Work Journal volume 20, pages 179–192 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

This article is intended to acquaint the reader with a phenomena known in the psychoanalytic literature as “anniversary reactions.” Conceptualized as ensuing from incomplete forms of mourning, these reactions may be evident in various forms including somatic symptoms and diseases, depression, psychosis, suicide, and homicide on the anniversary date of a significant past traumatic event. This article identifies various manifestations of anniversary reactions and familiarizes the reader with some of the elements thought to constitute them: trauma, incomplete mourning, identification and an unconscious sense of time. A clinical vignette is presented and discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Social Work, New York University, 3 Washington Square North, 10003, New York, New York

    Martha A. Gabriel PhD

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  1. Martha A. Gabriel PhD
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Gabriel, M.A. Anniversary reactions: Trauma revisited. Clin Soc Work J 20, 179–192 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756507

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756507

Keywords

  • Traumatic Event
  • Somatic Symptom
  • Clinical Vignette
  • Incomplete Form
  • Psychoanalytic Literature