Was I Molested Even Though My Clothes Never Came Off?

After I posted my last article about childhood sexual abuse for the Psychology Today blog, many of my readers e-mailed me various questions. Rebecca (not her real name) was a reader who was confused about her experience and trying to put the puzzle pieces together. She asked the following:

Trauma: Childhood Sexual Abuse

There are various types of traumatic events that can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Sexual abuse is a particularly sinister type of trauma because of the shame it instills in the victim. With childhood sexual abuse, victims are often too young to know how to express what is happening and seek out help. When not properly treated, this can result in a lifetime of PTSD, depression and anxiety.

Trauma: Incest

Incest is a type of sexual abuse that can (but does not always) include sexual intercourse, sexually inappropriate acts, or the abuse of power based on sexual activity between blood relatives. The important thing to remember is that incest is a form of sexual abuse.

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelNovember 2, 2018Trauma, Incest, Sexual Abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Childhood Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse, PTSD, RAINN

Medical Trauma: When A Procedure Goes Wrong

Imagine waking up from anesthesia during a surgical procedure, becoming fully aware of what is happening, perhaps being able to feel the sensations of surgical tools cutting into your body or pulling at your organs, yet not being lucid enough to react, speak, move, or otherwise alert anyone to your experience. This sounds like a horror story, doesn't it?

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelOctober 9, 2018Medical Trauma, Trauma, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anesthesia Failure, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, BIS Monitor

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After 9/11 and Katrina

Statistics say that only 5% of those who survived 9/11 in New York City went on to experience symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But in the case of Hurricane Katrina, 33% later suffered symptoms. This is a very high percentage, even for an extremely traumatizing event. So why the disparity in PTSD rates between 9/11 and Katrina?

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelSeptember 10, 2018Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Trauma, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, 9/11, Katrina, Fight/Flight/Freeze

Domestic Violence: Power Struggle With Lasting Consequences

Domestic violence can take many forms—physical abuse, sexual abuse, rape, emotional abuse, intimidation, economic deprivation, threats of violence.

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelSeptember 5, 2018Domestic Violence, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Power Struggle, Physical abuse, sexual abuse, rape, emotional abuse, Intimidation, Economic Deprivation, Threats, Control, "Asked for It"

Child Bullying's Consequence: Adult PTSD

We hear so much in the news lately about school bullying. One story I read recently highlighted the experiences of Rebecca Golden, a now-adult writer who chronicled for Salon the endless bullying she was subjected to as an overweight child. In her case, the bullying started at a very young age, being teased by boys in her class, and progressed up through high school. Even the teachers joined in on the bullying at certain times of her life.

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelSeptember 5, 2018Complex PTSD, Trauma, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Child Bullying, Bullying, Mental Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Physical abuse, Neglect, Cyberbullying, Suicide, Buillycide

Child Neglect and Adult PTSD

Comfort, nourishment, shelter, and care should be things that a child can take for granted. Unfortunately, child neglect is a rampant problem that statistically exceeds child physical and sexual abuse in the U.S. 2006 reporting statistics by the U.S.

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelSeptember 5, 2018Child Neglect, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Physical Neglect, Educational Neglect, Emotional Neglect, Medical Neglect, Depression, Behavioral Consequences

Postpartum PTSD Versus Postpartum Depression

According to Postpartum Support International (PSI)*, up to 6% of women who give birth later experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelAugust 31, 2018Postpartum PTSD, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Postpartum Depression, Childbirth Trauma, Trauma, Stillbirth, Anxiety, Detachment, Unreality

Miscarriage and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

When we think about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, we often think about war veterans and those who have endured violent crimes. But there are many other ways in which PTSD can affect victims of other, perhaps less obvious trauma.

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelAugust 31, 2018PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Acute Stress Syndrome, Counseling, ASD, Pregnancy Loss

Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) - Does It Exist?

PASS can affect any woman who experiences trauma from abortion.

Trauma TypesSusanne BabbelAugust 30, 2018Post Abortion Stress Syndrome, PASS, Abortion, Trauma, PTSD, Guilt, Anxiety, Numbness, Depression, Flashbacks, Suicide, Suicidal Thoughts, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Mugging is a Violent, Traumatizing Crime

As with all traumatic incidents, being mugged can result in more than physical injury and loss of valuable personal items. The longer-lasting impact of a mugging can be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an extreme type of anxiety disorder that can make the sufferer's life unmanageable.