Mental Disorders Associated During Sexual Abuse Survivors

(Oltmanns,Emery, 2015) A trauma may include rape, which in Melinda Sordino’s case is what she experienced. Melinda Sordino can be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, as opposed to acute stress disorder, because her disturbance after the trauma had lasted longer than a month. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder include intrusive re-experiencing, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, increased arousal or reactivity, negative moods or thoughts, and often dissociation. (Oltmanns,Emery, 2015) Weeks after the terrifying experience, Melinda Sordino experienced all of

This paper reviews several articles that discuss the lasting effects that sexual abuse can have on a child into their adult years. The articles agree that victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) will most likely suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or experience revictimization. This paper will also address the common forms of coping that victims of child sexual abuse take part in. Some research will touch on proper healing techniques for victims of CSA to receive.

The connection between sexual abuse and psychiatric disorders are connected in the ways that make people depressed, create eating disorders, or have really bad rust issues and stay away from the opposite gender as much as they possibly can. It even got as bad as PTSD in some people, the cost of medical attention rises for people who were abused. Sometimes even genes come into the possibilities of disorders in a person. With different variations of genes, some people are more likely to need help later on with disorders. The problem is that a lot of people will not get help because they do not actually know that they have symptoms that could be helped.

There are several mental illnesses that sexual abuse can inflict to the survivors. Some May be a Short term like shock, fear, confusion and withdrawal ( Nicole Yuan, 2006). While some survivors of sexual abuse can experience long term illnesses specifically:

Along with different treatments that can help someone with PTSD that went through any form of sexual abuse; which was an interesting case study was: Two hundred thirty four participants in the DSM-IV Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Field Trial who reported sexual and/or physical abuse were evaluated. Participants were categorized according to type of abuse (physical, sexual, both), duration of abuse (acute versus chronic), and onset of abuse (early versus late). Separate logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between age of onset, duration, abuse type, and the complex PTSD (CP) lifetime diagnosis for women and men. Sexually abused women, especially those who also experienced physical abuse, had a higher risk of developing

One can be impacted physically from an emotional relationship in many negative ways. Bruises, cuts, and broken bones are all common from physical abuse. Males and females who were abused sexually may experience pain during sexual intercourse in the area of their genitals. Some people who are abused use things such as alcohol, drugs, or tobacco to help them cope. All of these choices can negatively impact one’s physical state. Medical conditions such as heart disease can be brought on from physical abuse in the

Sexual Assault is an act of violence, power, hate but not sex committed to demonstrate dominance. The world today that we live with females and younger people are the most affected from sexual abuse. Being a victim of sexual abuse can affect the mind, body and spirit. Living with these events in your mind can be overwhelming. The effects of sexual abuse can vary for each individual. Some survivors may engage in substance abuse of drugs or alcohol to help him or her carry on with the overwhelming feelings. The recovery options are limited.

Claire Burke Draucker , Donna S. Martsolf , Cynthia Roller , Gregory Knapik , Ratchneewan Ross & Andrea Warner Stidham (2011) Healing from Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Theoretical Model, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 20:4, 435-466, DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2011.588188

Depression is the most common side effect sexual assault victims suffer from. Sexual assault victims both men and women are three times more likely to suffer from a major depressive disorder. ← CITE? Symptoms of depression can lead to even more issues such as eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide. People who have not been sexually assaulted with depression develop the following symptoms are unable to enjoy the beautiful things in life, irregular sleeping and eating patterns, difficulties staying on task with their concentration, decision-making, have feelings of hopelessness and decreased self-esteem. Victims of sexual assault also develop these symptoms, but they tend to develop more shame, guilt, and anger towards themselves. These feelings develop because they believe it was their fault that they were sexually assaulted. Anger, shame, and guilt are normal reactions after such a

For some, there are severe effects in the immediate aftermath of an assault that may not last. For others, the effects of sexual assault or rape comes in waves and are not felt until the shock of the event wears off. With time spent healing, developing strong positive coping skills and taking care of their self. Coping with the effect of sexual assault and rape can be overwhelming. Some survivors may engage in substance abuse and drugs or alcohol to help them cope with their overwhelming feelings. A survivors control and sense of safety security have been taken away by the perpetrator, engaging in these selves- injurious behaviors can also bring a sense of control over a person’s environment and serve harm or death. These coping strategies may seem to bring immediate relief. The feeling is only temporary and these behaviors can lead to more challenges in the future. It’s common for a survivor of sexual assault or rape to experience feelings that may be confusing such as: anger, distrust

Notwithstanding the immediate effects of sexual assault, experiencers are susceptible to effects that will follow their being attacked for a long time. Sexual violence can increase thoughts of depression of suicide, and even cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. For women that have been raped, ninety-four percent will experience symptoms of PTSD throughout the two weeks following the occurrence (thirty percent of women even report symptoms - of PTSD - nine months after an encounter. Additionally, those who have been attacked have an increased chance of using drugs (six times more likely to use cocaine, ten times more likely to use other major drugs.)

Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry). Childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience affecting the lives of not only the victim, but those close to the victim as well. Many think there is only one person truly traumatized, but in fact, everyone involved is affected. The victim has to deal with their experience the rest of their lives. They may be more at risk for other mental issues as well, including depression. The family involved has to deal with its pain, often causing hardship and discord within the family. This is especially true

Finally, the author mentioned that at a young age of a child who was sexual abuse, once the child report this case to their parents and the family is supportive, it helps reduce lots of abuse related symptoms than a family who lacks emotional, trusting, or psychical support for the child. For instance, a child that was sexual abuse who grew up with a dysfunctional family, such as smoking, or a single parenting that child would be more likely to form an addiction to substance abuse drugs than family who trusted the child and supported the child. From my opinion, I believe that most of this sexual abuse related symptoms are linked with each other. For instance, the author mentioned anxiety, but anxiety can lead to anger and withdrawn from

Sexual abuse. What is it? The dictionary defines it as “a sexual desire forced upon someone who doesn't have the same desire as the other” (“Sexual Abuse." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.), which is commonly involving children and/or girls. Now the real question is whether or not sexual abuse causes children and women mental health problems throughout their lives. Well, mental health is defined as a person's emotional well being after a traumatic event has taken place. Some have found that issues with children’s mental health was commonly found in children who grew up knowing they were sexually abused by someone they trusted, knew, or have never seen before

Adding to the list of drugs, depression, and withdrawal is trauma. Both genders, male and female, suffer from this, but trauma is seen more dominantly in the female population. Studies have shown that women sexually abused as children have rates of mental health impairment almost twice as high as women not abused (Finkelhor 79). As said by Elizabeth Connelly, these health impairments include post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder, mood disorders, antisocial personality disorder, and anxiety disorder (39). As a result, sexual abuse may begin as a physical act, but ultimately affects a child mentally.