subject: Elizabeth Smart And Her Psychological Journey [print this page] Elizabeth Smart And Her Psychological Journey
News are everywhere about Elizabeth Smart and her ordeal eight years ago when she was abducted from her Salt Lake City, Utah, bedroom. She was only 14 years old then on June 5, 2002.
The Elizabeth Smart kidnapping was a tough one. After nine long months of searching, she was found on March 12, 2003, in Sandy, Utah, about 18 miles from her home, in the company of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee, who were indicted for her kidnapping. They were initially ruled unfit to stand trial. Her abduction and abuse by the couple and recovery were widely reported and were the subject of a made-for-television movie and a published book.
The question now is, how can a 14-year-old girl kidnapped from her home and abused for 9 months be who she is today? We are sure she went through an ordeal no ordinary child can handle. Her experience was definitely a horrific part of her life.
The Chief Psychologist at the Children's Center in Salt Lake City said, "Our thinking begins to change. We don't think rationally." There are constant and real death threats on Elizabeth and her family that somehow forced her into a sort of survival mode.
People are wondering why she didn't scream for help when she heard searchers call her name. If we were in her position too, I guess that would be impossible if she is being threathened like that. Someone was in control of her life then. And unfortunately, it wasn't her.
It was Elizabeth's strong belief and conviction about her parents love for her made her survive her ordeal. She knew they wouldn't give up on her. They would keep looking for her come what may.
At first, she hesitated to share her true identity, but came forward eventually with the truth. After 8 years, she seems to show no signs of unresolved trauma.
Elizabeth went to college after, is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is considered to be healthy young teenager.
God bless Elizabeth and her family as they continue their fight. Their story is truly an inspiration to everyone.
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