Traumatic experience and link to others among internally displaced persons during the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon

According to psychoanalytic bond theory, unconscious alliances, when disrupted, may para-doxically become more entrenched. However, in the face of psychological trauma, a narcissistic re-organization can occur, leading to a disruption rather than a strengthening of these bonds. This study seeks to understand how traumatic experiences alter the underlying structures of interpersonal relationships, disrupting the bond with others in internally displaced persons. To explore this, we conducted a clinical case study using semi-structured interviews with three Internally Displaced Persons from the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. Data was analyzed using content analysis. Our findings suggest that traumatic experiences can significantly disrupt personality struc-ture. In IDPs, this disruption manifests in alterations to the foundational aspects of interpersonal relationships, leading to an imbalance in their connections with others. The weight of past trauma can hinder adaptive mechanisms, making it difficult for individuals to form and maintain healthy relationships.These results underscore the urgent need for specialized care and support for vulnera-ble IDPs affected by the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.