Mental Disorders Associated During Sexual Abuse Survivors

Three Mental Disorders Associated in Sexual Abuse Survivors Victims of sexual abuse suffer from an array of issues, both physical and emotional. The most notable disorders are Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and depression. According to Dr. Debra Rose Wilson, a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University School of Nursing, a child will be changed for the rest of their lives after suffering from sexual abuse (Wilson 56). She writes that sexual abuse can be defined as any type of encouragement an adult gives a child to gain any type of sexual favors from a child (Wilson 56). She states that survivors often have lifelong problems including both the emotional and physical aspects of their life (Wilson 56).†¦show more content†¦Zlotnick, Mattia, and Zimmerman established that patients with sexual abuse histories are likely to have extended bouts of depression (Wilson 58). Wilson writes that survivors of sexual abuse state that they have several problems including reduced communication, less trust, and little satisfaction in their relationships (Wilson 60). She states that histories of the abuse impact the survivors’ relationships in a negative manner (Wilson 60). According to Dr. Kim Dunleavy, from the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, traumatic events such as physical violence, sexual abuse, or rape can prompt long-term physical and psychological health problems for survivors (Dunleavy 340). Dunleavy explains that survivors of sexual abuse may be psychologically diagnosed with â€Å"posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies as a primary diagnosis or comorbidities† (Dunleavy 340). Dunleavy stated that posttraumatic stress disorder is powerfully connected with a sexually traumatic event (Dunleavy 340). Dunleavy notes that symptoms set in after the abuse has taken place (Dunleavy 340). She also suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder is diagnosed when the symptoms of a person are present after four weeks from the time of the trauma (Dunleavy 340). She writes that posttraumatic stress disorder