Anniversary reactions in a five-year-old boy. Unresolved conflict, guilt, and self-identifications.

This paper examines the important role of anniversary reactions in the psychological adjustment of seriously traumatized individuals. The clinical case study examines the impact of anniversary reactions on the posttraumatic symptoms and accommodation of a five-year-old boy. Unresolved conflict with the mother, an intense sense of guilt, and difficulty in self-identification were explored during subsequent sessions of psychoanalysis. The clinical significance of considering the possibility of anniversary reactions in children manifesting repetitive attempts of trauma mastering is discussed.