America in an Age of Trauma

In this radio interview I discuss my ideas about emotional trauma (RD Stolorow, Trauma and Human Existence, Routledge, 2007) and extend them to the state of the American psyche in what I consider to be an Age of Trauma. The current economic collapse, in addition to being a collective trauma in its own right, is reanimating once again the feelings of anxiety, vulnerability, and powerlessness evoked by the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.

Comments

[poorpearl]

06:23 PM on 03/19/2009

I was so struck by your idea about the loss of the auto industry as a trauma, not just to the individuals employed by the companies, or the cities and town nearby, but the "idea" of them. You're right that the American car is inseparable from our identity as America (for good or bad) and the possibility of that being extinguished is a shattering loss, just like the other losses we have suffered during these last 8 long years.

Your words of warning about the dangers of over-idealization of Obama are also key. After 8 years of Bush, he is a gift, but it is true that there is a great danger in the elevated expectations.

Your work on trauma is immensely valuable to clinicians and definitely has usefulness in the political sphere. Is anyone listening?

Thank you,

Julia Schwartz, M.D.