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Jaycee May Never Recover

Overcoming lost years will be a huge challenge, mental health experts say

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 30, 2009 12:57 PM CDT
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(Newser) – It will be a struggle for Jaycee Lee Dugard and her two daughters to recover from the years they spent in captivity, writes Karen Kaplan in the LA Times. Psychologists have few comparable cases to draw from, and those that exist are not encouraging. Kidnap victim Natascha Kampusch, of Vienna, spent ages 10 to 18 in captivity, and despite early signs of recovery, became a recluse. Elisabeth Fritzl, infamously imprisoned in a basement dungeon by her father, is said to be recovering poorly.

A 2000 study of 24 kidnapped individuals in Italy found that nearly half were diagnosed with PTSD and 38% with major depression—though the average time in captivity was just 99 days. As difficult as it will be for Jaycee to readjust, experts say, her children have an even bigger challenge—Jaycee, at least, has recollections of a normal childhood. "These children have missed normal developmental stages for their entire lives," said a George Mason University Psychologist. "It's almost like they are from another planet."

A tent and shacks are shown in the backyards of a home in Antioch, Calif., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, where authorities say kidnapped victim Jaycee Lee Dugard lived.
A tent and shacks are shown in the backyards of a home in Antioch, Calif., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, where authorities say kidnapped victim Jaycee Lee Dugard lived.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Authorities walk next to shacks in the backyards of a home in Antioch, Calif., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, where authorities say kidnapped victim Jaycee Lee Dugard lived.
Authorities walk next to shacks in the backyards of a home in Antioch, Calif., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, where authorities say kidnapped victim Jaycee Lee Dugard lived.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
A child's tricycle is shown at the home in Antioch, Calif., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, where authorities say kidnapped victim Jaycee Lee Dugard lived.
A child's tricycle is shown at the home in Antioch, Calif., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, where authorities say kidnapped victim Jaycee Lee Dugard lived.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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The adjustment to the outside world is going to be very brutal. How do you undo years of abuse, years of being held captive?
- Naftali Berrill, director, New York Center for Neuropsychology and Forensic Behavioral Science

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
emptycalm
Sep 1, 2009 4:15 AM CDT
i think it would be a good idea to study them so we can figure out why this phenomenon occurs in our society and possibly find a way to stop it. I understand the emotional urge to want to just have them killed but what's the point in just being upset every time it happens but do nothing to try to prevent shit like this?
Jassy
Aug 31, 2009 12:09 PM CDT
There never should have been a next time. Kidnapping was once upon a time a capital offense in this country. The kidnapper never got the chance to do it again.
jagerhans
Aug 31, 2009 10:17 AM CDT
just imagine what and who is waiting in jail for Garrido . it is only a matter of time until some inmate rips his chunky balls off with a sharpened-on-the-floor spoon. The incredible inefficiency of the police remembers me of Dahmer.

 
kidnapping • captivity • development • Vienna • psychologist • child rape • Elisabeth Fritzl • Jaycee Lee Dugard • Phillip Garrido

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Garridos Confess to Kidnapping Jaycee Dugard

Garridos: We Want to See Jaycee
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