WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) -- The individual involved in the supposed Waterbury captivity incident has numerous physical challenges to address.
Today, we are exploring some of the psychological challenges he is dealing with.
It is well known He weighed 68 pounds at the time of his rescue. He likewise suffered from decayed teeth and various other medical issues.
However, he was also found to have PTSD and depression when assessed following his rescue.
Dr. Karen Steinberg Gallucci serves as a clinical psychologist at UConn Health.
She has assisted us in grasping how the victim’s mental and emotional health might have been affected following two decades.
When individuals endure such mistreatment, deprivation, or fear, they undergo various psychological and mental impacts," she explained. "Their physical and emotional states get pushed into conditions of alarm, emergency, or tension. These experiences trigger stress responses as they must safeguard themselves and constantly assess their surroundings for potential threats.
The victim told police for 20 years he was kept in a small room in a house on Blake Street. A majority of his time was either inside a tiny chamber or engaged in household tasks.
It is alleged that he was provided with only scant amounts of food and water. For many years, he has not received medical attention from a doctor or dental care from a dentist.
He informed the police that he hadn't taken a shower for a year.
"Absolutely depression and anxiety. It's a moral injury, a severe attack on one's self-image and their existence in the world, feeling unsafe, and losing faith in others," according to Dr. Steinberg Galluci.
The individual, who is 32 years old, initiated a blaze at the residence as an attempt to break free from what was described as an alleged personal imprisonment.
According to law enforcement, the victim has the cognitive abilities of an adolescent due to developmental delays.
He faces a lengthy journey towards recuperation; however, numerous therapy choices are available as per Dr. Steinberg Gallucci.
It requires significant effort to heal those initial injuries and disturbances, but it is definitely possible," she stated. "Recovery is achievable. Individuals can indeed stop blaming themselves for past events. This self-blame is common among children who have experienced abuse or harm; such thinking exacerbates their trauma and hinders healing. Therefore, addressing this aspect can form an integral part of therapy.
Fortunately, there are resources available for the victim and numerous individuals offering assistance, with contributions pouring in from across the globe to support him and provide their care at no cost.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the victim. Initiated by Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, this amount exceeds $208,000.