The Juniper Center Newsletter - Spring 2010
Powers' Hypothesis: Addictions, Stalking, Other Repetitive Behaviors,
and Some Types of Violent Behaviors
Conceptualized as Disordered Mourning Variants©
Diane C. Powers, Psy D, CADCI first realized that stalking was an addiction after I presented an amended version of my dissertation, Stalking: A form of Disordered Attachment and Mourning Variant, for the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, in 2000. John Bowlby created the term “disordered mourning variants” which he described as “deviant pathways” from the ordered (normal) path of mourning. I have amended and integrated his work to create my own theory of addictions. I have also integrated elements of Family Systems Theory, Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, Behavioral Theories, and various ideas from the Adult Child Movement (Claudia Black, Pia Melody, John Bradshaw). Elementary neuropsychological information gleaned from Alan Schore, Beissel van der Kolk, and Mark Beischel is also included. This integrated information will be presented in a soon-to be published book, I’m a Bunny, But I Wanna be a Giraffe: A Picture Book for Adults.
An ethnologist, John Bowlby researched attachment behaviors in animals and later applied this knowledge to humans. He based his attachment theory upon these observations. Bowlby’s inspection of hospitalized infants who were separated from their parents inspired his idea of normal separation behaviors which were comprised of three stages which he later extended into four adult mourning stages. A basic explanation of his ideas will be presented so that my hypothesis can be clearly understood.
Protest Stage occurs when separation anxiety is the infant’s response to separation, threats of separation or perceived threats of separation from an attachment figure. Angry “clingy” behaviors, misperceived as spoiled behaviors, are the infant’s reactions to this threat. This “punishing anger” is functional because it is designed to keep the attachment figure and child in close proximity which makes the child feel secure.
Problems: An Ambivalent Attachment Pattern can arise if parenting is inconsistent or there are long or repeated separations from the parents.. Children who exhibit this Anxious/Insecure Attachment Patterns display distorted protest separation reactions in which functional anger distorts into dysfunctional anger---rage behaviors which push parents away rather than draw them near. Sometimes this anger goes “underground” into seething resentment. This often occurs when a child fears open displays of anger due to parental punishments. Bowlby termed this reaction, “anxious uncertain affection”. Adults with ambivalent attachments are often clingy and/or extremely jealous and possessive. Perpetrators of domestic violence demonstrate “dysfunctional anger” and often develop Antisocial and/or Narcissistic Personality Disorders as adults. Victims can develop Dependent Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorders. Perpetrators and victims are prone to “relationship addictions” –in which a person is the love object instead of a substance or activity. Other problems (developmental trauma or PTSD) can develop in this stage when sensory stimulation from former losses, or abuse/traumas, is aroused by present sensory stimulation.
Bowlby’s later research on widow-bereavement suggested that protest stage behaviors were symbolically present in the adult normal Mourning Stage--“Seeking (following), Anger, Pining. This is Bowlby’s 2nd mourning stage in which the bereaved’s denial of her loss is unconsciously, symbolically displayed by restless, angry, behaviors indicating that the bereaved is preoccupied with the lost object and is seeking reunion with it.
The Despair Stage of normal separation is the child’s form of grieving the loss of continuous parental caretaking. The child withdraws and is despondent. Bowlby’s later research on adult mourning identified the Despair/ Detachment Stage, the 3rd stage of mourning, as an extension of this childhood stage.
Problems: Distortions of this adult mourning stage were Chronic, Delayed, and Manic Mourning Variants which Bowlby christened “deviant pathways” from the normal mourning sequence. The Manic Variant is rare and is expressed by an individual’s complete denial of the lost object or excitement over the loss. Chronic Mourning is a distortion of the Seeking, Anger, Pining stage where the bereaved appears stuck in protest behaviors and feelings. Chronic mourners exhibit prolonged responses of intense anger, extreme restlessness, self-reproach, depression, and anxiety. The Delayed Mourning Variant is a distortion of the 1st stage of mourning, Numbing, in which the bereaved is in denial of his/her loss. These variants can last a lifetime if interventions do not occur. Individuals suffering from Disordered Mourning Variants never progress to the last stage of normal mourning, Organization, in which one accepts the loss and adjusts to their new, single identity.
The Detachment Stage of normal childhood separation is a defense against the agony of the Despair Stage. Children appear to regain normal interactions and do not miss their parents because their attachment systems become “defensively excluded and deactivated” and their pain of despair is no longer experienced. This stage was integrated into Bowlby’s adult mourning stage of Despair/Detachment. The 3rd stage of the normal adult mourner, Despair/Detachment, combines the childhood stages of Despair and Detachment. Deep despair is broken by periodic respites of detachment since Mother Nature must realize that no one can experience continuous mourning without a reprieve. The two experiences alternate with each other until the fourth and final stage of mourning, Reorganization, is achieved.
Problems: A childhood Avoidant Attachment Pattern can develop when physically/emotionally abusive parenting and/or prolonged separations (6 months or more) occur or multiple caretakers are experienced. Children with this anxious attachment pattern display exaggerated detachment behaviors Bowlby termed as “independence of affectional ties”. The child becomes overly independent—permanently “detached”—and can develop an Avoidant Personality Disorder and/or Antisocial Personality Disorder as an adult. These individuals often prefer addictive attachments to things (e.g. substances) and activities (e.g. compulsive gambling) rather than to people.
Stalking is an example of a Powers’ Disordered Mourning Variant. Rather than experience Normal Morning Despair/Detachment affects, stalkers employ persistent seeking behaviors, often accompanied by violent, angry outbursts. Powers considers these behaviors a Stalking Mourning Variant in which the loss(es) and associated dysphoric affects are cognitively disconnected (split from consciousness) and defensively excluded (repressed) and “reunion seeking behaviors” are displaced into “stalking activities”--which are distorted protest behaviors seeking reunion with the love objet. Rageful behavior over separation can also be exhibited by individuals who may not persistently seek their love objects, but who become violent at perceived or real separation from their love objects.
Various other addictive behaviors and other repetitive behaviors (i.e. developmental trauma behaviors) also may be developed to defend against the agony of Normal Mourning Stage 3 and are considered displacements of “reunion behaviors” from the original loss-object(s) onto “substitute loss-objects” such as substances (e.g. alcohol), activities (compulsive gambling), or another person.
Comparison of Powers’ addicted individuals to Bowlby’s bereaved persons suffering from one or more Disordered Mourning Variants (chronic, delayed [Bowlby, 1963, 1980]), emphasizes their inability to progress through the normal stages of mourning. These individuals appear “stuck” in a deviant pathway. Disordered Variants are initiated by an exaggerated protest reaction and prohibit progression through the Normal Stages 3 and 4. For example, a stalker’s pursuit is fueled by protest anger and can be perceived as a bereaved person suffering from and exhibiting one or more Disordered Variant(s)—distortion(s) of Normal Stage 3 Mourning-- where the individual refuses to accept the loss and continues to seek reunion with the lost object.
An addict’s vacillation between Stage 3 Mourning and a deviant pathway represents relapse which can last indefinitely unless an interventions are made
Powers’ Theory indicates that stalkers are often relationship addicts exhibiting Ambivalent Attachment Patterns, frequently suffering from Narcissistic and/or Antisocial Personality Disorders. They may also have substance addictions, indicating an Avoidant Attachment Pattern as well. Interventions can be effective with simple obsessional followers. This is the largest category of stalkers and the second most dangerous category (psychopathic is the most dangerous). This category includes “batterers” in a domestic violence situation who are usually males who know their victims. Proximity to their victims reactivates attachment so they should be keep kept physically apart and cease all contact as well. This is often achieved in jail or an inpatient mental health facility. Obsessional thoughts pose a separate problem. Individual therapy, therapy groups, anger management groups, and self-help groups (Codependents Anonymous) are helpful treatment tools. Powers’ Hypothesis indicates that grief work targeting core psychological issues can begin once prolonged abstinence has occurred. Grief work often begins 2-3 years after sustained abstinence. This work addresses the historical loss/abuse/trauma issues indicated in Powers’ Hypothesis. Working though these issues will eventually release the individual who can proceed to Stage 4 of mourning. Treatment methods used for developmentally abused individuals are helpful in conjunction with CBT and “insight” focused therapy.
Powers’ Theory offers a framework for an expedient client evaluation. Using the diagram of the theory, a therapist can gain important information regarding the client’s current and past behaviors. By ruling out some of these data, a preliminary treatment plan can be devised. The following diagram and written explanation describe this framework.
A complete description of Powers’ Theory will be included in her up-coming book I’m a Bunny but I Wanna be a Giraffe: A Picture-Book for Adults. This book is an integration of Powers’ numerous presentations and workshops and will contain ample “picture-book” illustrations regarding her theory.
Diane Powers, Psy.D, CADC
