Abstract
The paper describes a fifteen-year-old boy who firebombed his adoptive parents in their bed. The boy claimed to have no memory of the incident which occurred during the latter part of the night's sleep. Evidence is given for the diagnosis of Dissociative Disorder, and there is discussion of Sleep Walking Disorder and REM Behaviour Disorder in the differential diagnosis. The contributions made by intrapsychic and family processes are explored and the course of treatment described.
Résumé
L'article décrit le cas d'un garçon de 15 ans qui a tué ses parents adoptifs en mettant une bombe dans leur lit. Le garçon prétendait n'avoir aucun souvenir de l'accident qui survint durent le dernière partie du sommeil norcturne. Le diagnostic de troubles dissociatifs apparait évident et sont discutés en diagnostic différentiel un trouble noctambulique et un trouble comportemental REM. Les contributions apportées par les processus intra-psychique et familiaux sont évoquées et le déroulement du traitement décrit.
Zusammenfassung
Diese Arbeit beschreibt einen 15jährigen Jungen, der eine Feuerbombe in das Bett seiner schlafenden Adoptiveltern warf. Der Junge gab an, keine Erinnerung an den Vorfall zu haben, der sich in der späten Phase des Nachtschlafes ereignete. Die Diagnose einer dissoziativen Störung erscheint wahrscheinlich, differentialdiagnostisch wird Schlafwandeln und REM-Verhaltensstörung diskutiert. Die intrapsychischen und familiären Anteile am Geschehen werden exploriert, der Behandlungsverlauf wird erläutert.
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The author thanks Ms. Dee Taylor and the staff of the Bethlem Royal Hospital Adolescent Unit for their role in the treatment of this family. He is also grateful to Professor Crisp, Drs. Hill and Fenwick and Mr. Boys for helpful comments on the manuscript.
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Shaw, M. A teenager who firebombed his parents while in a dissociated state. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 1, 196–199 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02091905
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02091905