Module 5: Post 2: Heterotypic and Homotypic Continuity Impact on the Influence of Interaction of Developmental Processes and Personality.
- ptsdblog61614
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
Background
River is a 30-year-old male veteran who served in combat for ten years and was honorably discharged. He experienced multiple traumatic events during his deployment and a TBI, including losing close comrades and surviving an ambush. After returning home, he was diagnosed with PTSD by the VA and resisted treatment due to the perception of care that other veterans received, stigma, and a belief in self-reliance.
Case Study: A Fictional Exploration of PTSD
Male veterans with PTSD, like River, repeatedly experience lifetime impacts of their trauma that are influenced by developmental (heterotypic continuity) symptoms that fluctuate over time and (homotypic continuity) symptoms are persistent across time) (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Concepts like heterotypic and homotypic will explain the trajectories of PTSD symptoms that transpire from early adulthood throughout the lifespan of the individual. Right now, River is in the homotypic continuity phase. Yirmiya et al. (2024) found that homotypic continuity led to personality disorders from childhood throughout adulthood. River currently showed hypervigilance (emotional regulation) by constantly scanning his surroundings for threats and intrusive thoughts by having frequent flashbacks of combat traumas and experiences. He struggles with emotional instability and experiences frequent episodes of anger and anxiety (neuroticism). River's irritability and suspicion lead to conflicts (agreeableness), but he is open to new coping mechanisms (openness) but is still guarded about sharing his feelings and emotions. These thoughts form emotional numbness in River, and he displays difficulty expressing his feelings, leading to strained relationships with family and friends (developmental process). He avoids going out with family or friends when there will be crowds or fireworks. These symptoms and fear of judgment cause River to withdraw from social interaction. In addition, he frequently changes his job and has struggled to matriculate to civilian life and workplace norms because of mood (irritability) and hyperarousal.
Heterotypic continuity will transpire for River as his PTSD symptoms evolve; for example, somatic complaints like chronic pain and headaches, which are stress-related can develop (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). Intrusive thoughts about traumatic events that involve his comrades that he couldn't save will manifest as deep guilt, potentially leading to depressive episodes. Elam et al. (2024) found that externalizing behavior is associated with alcohol use disorder. Right now, River has quit drinking and is in AA. Still, he could easily fall back into the same maladaptive behavior pattern when guilt and depression flare or to cope with insomnia and emotional distress, creating another escalating dependency on alcohol or other substances. His avoidance behavior could quickly lead to sudden angry outbursts when confronted. Right now, River is unmarried, and untreated PTSD symptoms could lead to isolation. If he does get married, heterotypic continuity could lead to his family feeling alienated and understanding him as unpredictable and emotionally distant. Right now, that is how his immediate family described him, and that led to his current health decline exacerbated by substance use.
Heterotypic and homotypic continuity in his later life could show both continuities in his PTSD (Cervone & Pervin, 2023). For example, homotypic would show in the fact that his intrusive memories remain and are additionally triggered by current events such as news of suicide, homicides, wars, fire, and fireworks etc. These triggers could cause River to avoid social events. Heterotypic could manifest in cognitive decline for River; as a result of his TBI and PTSD, he could experience memory lapses and confusion, increasingly complicating the differentiation between PTSD and potential dementia. In River's case, even though he declined treatment through the VA, he is seeking individual counseling and treatment for his alcohol use disorder and joined AA. River has been able to express his suppressed and repressed emotions of the past in therapy (neuroticism), made amends for past behavior, has found motivating work is maintaining financial stability (conscientiousness), and has started rebuilding connections with his family and forming new relationships (extraversion). River has become more reflective about his life experiences (developmental process) and is beginning to seek to engage positively in his community. River does self-care via working out, therapy, and AA. PTSD does interact with personality traits and developmental processes in male veterans. In River's case, his PTSD did initially magnify his negative characteristics and disrupt his development in life. Still, now and through targeted interventions, he has fostered resilience, healing, and personal growth.
References
Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. A. (2023). Personality: Theory and research (15th ed.). Wiley
Elam K., Bountress K., Ha T, et al. (2024). Developmental genetic effects on externalizing behavior and alcohol use: Examination across two longitudinal samples. Development and Psychopathology. 2024;36(1):82-91. doi:10.1017/S0954579422000980
Yirmiya, K., Constantinou, M., Simes, E., et al. (2024). The mediating role of reflective functioning and general psychopathology in the relationship between childhood conduct disorder and adult aggression among offenders. Psychological Medicine. 2024;54(10):2492-2503. doi:10.1017/S003329172400062X
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