CATATHYMIC VIOLENCE, DISSOCIATION, AND ADOPTION PATHOLOGY - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MENTAL STATUS DEFENSE

This article describes the possible etiology of sudden, uncharacterist ic violence in adoptees. A ''cumulative trauma'' is identified that ma y foster unrealistic fantasies of the birth parents and lead to dissoc iation of parts of the self, including rageful feelings toward adoptiv e and birth parents. Real or perceived rejection may trigger emergence of this rage, with sometimes murderous results. Implications for the mental status defense are described.