Post-traumatic aspects of the treatment of victims of sexual abuse and incest

Abstract

This study assesses the frequency of childhood abuse and adult traumatization and the presence of symptomatology of post-traumatic stress and dissociation across different DSM-III diagnostic categories including affective disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and multiple personality disorder. Findings revealed high levels of child abuse among patients with dissociative disorder and borderline personality disorder. The patients with dissociative disorders were found to have an increased incidence of rape and wife battery in adulthood. Patients with dissociative and post-traumatic stress disorders were found to experience similar symptomatology. The findings from this study highlight the need to assess all psychiatric patients for a history of physical and sexual trauma. Major treatment issues in patients who suffer from either type of trauma include the development of trust and the abreaction and working through of traumatic memories. Conjoint sessions with concerned others may be beneficial.