Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
A friend who was molested as a child and relives it every day
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
A friend who was molested as a child and relives it every day
by Tom M., Feb 23, 2000 12:00AM
I have a friend who was sexually abused at the age of three or four. This person has never told anyone but me about it. Every night this person relives it in their dreams. They twitch and shake in their sleep from these dreams. How do I go about trying to help them talk about what happened to them to others?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-M.D-HG, Feb 24, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Tom M,
Sexual abuse at any age, particularly when it happens in childhood can lead to several problems related to mental health eg: low self-esteem, lack of trust, personality disorders, depression, sexual problems etc. Sexual abuse can change a person’s life if not dealt with appropriately. It is real important that your friend consult a Mental Health Professional for a comprehensive evaluation. Long term psychotherapy would be beneficial in this situation.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D
Sexual abuse at any age, particularly when it happens in childhood can lead to several problems related to mental health eg: low self-esteem, lack of trust, personality disorders, depression, sexual problems etc. Sexual abuse can change a person’s life if not dealt with appropriately. It is real important that your friend consult a Mental Health Professional for a comprehensive evaluation. Long term psychotherapy would be beneficial in this situation.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D
Member Comments (2)
by SwtCajLdy, Feb 23, 2000 12:00AM
You are talking about it now to others ..... You found a way so will your friend . Are you with this person at night when they are shaking and dreaming the bad things . Unless you have been in their shoes there is no way that you will understand what they are going through . They need to talk to someone because they is still that little scared person inside , and that scared person trust no one , they can't because they are hurting so much . I think you could be the answer for your friend , just don't give up because I see you hurting as bad as they are . If you want to talk to someone that knows the hurt . e-mail me at ... ***@**** until then hang in there , and best of luck to you and your friend :)
