Well, I think it's quite likely that Melody/River has/would have Reactive Attachment Disorder which would definitely leave her without the proper tools to deal with fear. RAD is all about fear. Notice, in LKH, during her school years, that, in her opinion, everything bad that ever happened, happened because of the Doctor. From here (http://www.attachmentdisorder.net/Negative_Belief_System.htm): "The child may learn as an infant/toddler that they must take care of themselves. That they cannot depend on adults for their safety, hence their need for control to make sure they stay safe. They believe that they stay safe if they push you away by making you angry, grossing you out, etc., any way they can to distance themselves from you emotionally and physically.

Many times these hurt children really believe that if they do things your way by obeying you they will die. They don't think that doing things your way is what will keep them safe. They learned this in those first few years of life when they learned they had to depend on themselves. Bringing them into your home will not change this belief about all adults – including you."

It didn't help that her own mother shot at her. :/