 |
|
Regulating emotion after experiencing a sexual assault
October 22, 2009After exposure to extreme life stresses, what distinguishes the individuals who do and do not develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? A new study, published in the October 1st issue of Biological Psychiatry, suggests that it has something to do with the way that we control the activity of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region thought to orchestrate our thoughts and actions.
Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine examined women who had been the victims of violent sexual assault, some of whom developed PTSD and others who did not develop any serious emotional symptoms afterwards. Using a brain imaging technique, they evaluated the ability of these women to voluntarily modify their own responses to unpleasant emotional stimuli and found that it was the trauma history itself, not how well they endured this sort of trauma, that influenced their ability to dampen subsequent emotional responses.
Surprisingly, however, the ability of the subjects to amplify their emotional responses to unpleasant stimuli was related to psychological outcome after the sexual assault. The resilient individuals, that is, those who endured sexual assault without developing emotional symptoms, were able to enhance the activation of emotional brain circuitry in response to unpleasant stimuli more than either those with PTSD or healthy controls who had never experienced a serious sexual assault.
Corresponding author Dr. Antonia New explained the findings: "This raises the possibility that the ability to focus on negative emotions permits the engagement of cognitive strategies for extinguishing negative emotional responses, and that this ability might be related to resilience. This is important, since it has implications for how we might enhance resilience."
These findings suggest that exposure to extremely stressful situations may leave an "emotional scar" that may influence the capacity to be resilient to the impact of subsequent stressors, even when one does not develop PTSD. "These data seem to support an idea that has emerged from clinical descriptions of resilient people, i.e., that people who are resilient are able to be flexible in the way that they respond to changing emotional contexts. It would be helpful to know how we can enhance the flexible activation of these prefrontal cortex networks in people with compromised resilience," commented Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry.
Dr. New agrees, adding that "perhaps the enrichment of the broad capacity to tolerate negative emotional experiences might be helpful in promoting resilience. Further work needs to be done on whether the feature of this capacity that relates to resilience is about the ability to tolerate one's one responses, or whether it is the ability to respond distress in others."
Elsevier
Corresponding author Dr. Antonia New explained the findings: "This raises the possibility that the ability to focus on negative emotions permits the engagement of cognitive strategies for extinguishing negative emotional responses, and that this ability might be related to resilience. This is important, since it has implications for how we might enhance resilience."
These findings suggest that exposure to extremely stressful situations may leave an "emotional scar" that may influence the capacity to be resilient to the impact of subsequent stressors, even when one does not develop PTSD. "These data seem to support an idea that has emerged from clinical descriptions of resilient people, i.e., that people who are resilient are able to be flexible in the way that they respond to changing emotional contexts. It would be helpful to know how we can enhance the flexible activation of these prefrontal cortex networks in people with compromised resilience," commented Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry.
Dr. New agrees, adding that "perhaps the enrichment of the broad capacity to tolerate negative emotional experiences might be helpful in promoting resilience. Further work needs to be done on whether the feature of this capacity that relates to resilience is about the ability to tolerate one's one responses, or whether it is the ability to respond distress in others."
Elsevier
Sexual Assault Current Events and Sexual Assault News RSSResearchers begin to decipher metabolism of sexual assault drug
It's a naturally occurring brain chemical with an unwieldy name: 4-hydroxybutyrate (4-HB). Taken by mouth, it can be abused or used as a date-rape drug.
Little safe haven for sexually assaulted LGBTQ victims
Being a victim of sexual assault and seeking help is difficult for anyone, but when the victim is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) the thought of reporting a crime may well be laced with added layers of uncertainty and mistrust, according to a study in Oregon.
More than 20 percent of sexual assaults drug-facilitated
More than 20% of sexual assaults in a sample of 882 victims were drug-facilitated sexual assaults.
Telemedicine can dramatically improve child sexual assault examinations in rural areas
The use of telemedicine can dramatically improve the quality of child sexual assault examinations in rural communities where rates of abuse and neglect are highest - sometimes more than double the statewide rate - a study published in the January issue of the medical journal Pediatrics has found.
Tis the season to be jolly?
As the party season approaches, a timely reminder of the issues surrounding the binge drinking culture are again highlighted by research into 'young people and alcohol' a team lead by Professor Christine Griffin, at the University of Bath. The research, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) suggests several considerations for future policy.
Study: Verbal aggression may affect children's behavior
The methods mothers use to control their children during playtime and other daily activities could have a negative impact on their child's self-esteem and behavior, according to a new Purdue University study.
Sexual violence study finds NY teens victimized at rate higher than national average
The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, in collaboration with Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health's Center for Youth Violence Prevention, announced the results of a three-year, comprehensive research project on sexual and dating violence among New York City high school students, and the health impact of that violence on those victimized by it.
PTSD associated with more, longer hospitalizations
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) have found post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with more hospitalizations, longer hospitalizations and greater mental healthcare utilization in urban primary care patients. These findings appear in the current issue of Medical Care.
A Dangerous Transition: High School to the First Year of College
Increases in young women's drinking during the transition from high school through the first year of college can have dangerous physical, sexual and psychological implications, according to a report out of the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions.
Katrina victims increasingly depressed, traumatized, and suicidal as relief efforts drag on
According to the most comprehensive survey of people affected by Hurricane Katrina, results of which are being presented today to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, the percentage of pre-hurricane residents of the affected areas in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi who have mental disorders has increased significantly compared to the situation five to eight months after the hurricane.
More Sexual Assault Current Events and Sexual Assault News Articles
 |
Sexual Assault: Will I Ever Feel Okay Again? by Kay Scott (Author) Will I Ever Feel Okay Again? "Kay Scott helps us to feel the pain, fear, shame, self-loathing and doubt, but also the courage, faith, friendship, support, and growth of her pathway through a personal hell. This is a helpful book for all parents, pastors, youth workers, and teachers to read-. All who are victimized by these violations of self bear scars that cannot be truly healed unless they gain insights contained in these pages-." Jay Kesler, President, Taylor University "-writes passionately of the aftermath of agony that haunts the victims of rape. Yet with equal passion she offers a message of hope and healing-an invaluable resource for those who have been victimized and the people who love them." Lynne Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church "Kay's... |
 |
The Rape Recovery Handbook: Step-By-Step Help for Survivors of Sexual Assault by Aphrodite Matsakis (Author) Victims of rape often suffer from symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as depression, addiction and other emotional problems. In this new handbook, an expert in the treatment of PTSD helps rape victims cope with the reality of the experience and deal with the aftermath of conflicting and debilitating feelings. Recovery begins by establishing a safety plan that includes what to expect from recovery, and an understanding of how to treat your self during recovery. Learn how to develop a community and supportive network to assist you during the journey and cope with the anxiety and anger that often arise during this process. Understand how sexual assault can affect many aspects of life. Shatter myths about sexual assault and examine how the experience... |
 |
Color Atlas of Sexual Assault by Patty C. Seneski (Author), Margaret Whelan (Author), Faugno. Diana K. (Author), Laura Slaughter (Author), Barbara W. Girardin (Editor) COLOR ATLAS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT is a clinical resource for practitioners who assess and treat sexually assaulted adolescents and adults. The atlas presents color photographs of injuries of the internal and external genitalia, anus, and mouth, which are magnified for distinct visualization of the injury, providing critical visual aid to the accurate physical diagnosis of sexual abuse. Also included are many photographs of normal anatomy of the adult genitalia, as well as typical variations that may be found, to contrast with the photos of sexual assault victims. The text provides findings in consensual intercourse, which are critical for comparison to assault injury. There is a detailed description of the assessment of the sexually assaulted individual, including the physical and emotional... |
 |
Sexual Assault: Quick Reference for Healthcare, Social Service, and Law Enforcement Professionals by Angelo P. Giardino (Author), Elizabeth M. Datner (Author), Janice B. Asher (Author), Barbara W. Girardin (Author), Diana K. Faugno (Author), Mary J. Spencer (Author) Sexual Assault can happen to anyone at any age. Sexual Assault Quick-Reference offers an invaluable resource for physicians, ER staff, EMTs, social service personnel, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, and anyone else who may be confronted with a sexual assault victim of any age. In these situations, there is no room for error. The right knowledge, accurate diagnosis, and treatment of sexual assault cases can better protect victims and hold their perpetrators accountable. In a convenient pocket-sized format Sexual Assault Quick-Reference provides easy-to-access information on topics such as the accurate identification of sexual assault, the roles of the various interdisciplinary team members and their effectiveness in dealing with victims, and common characteristics of assault... |
 |
ABC News Primetime Rape Survivor: Bridget Kelly |
 |
Beyond Our Control: Restructuring Your Life After Sexual Assault by Leila Rae Sommerfeld (Author) Counselor Leila Rae Sommerfeld shares her own story and a message of hope in this detailed guide to recovery after sexual assault. |
 |
Sexual Assault: The Victims, the Perpetrators, and the Criminal Justice System by Frances P. Reddington (Author), Betsy Wright Kreisel (Author) The second edition of Sexual Assault provides a broader overview of the crime of sexual assault by adding new chapters on drug facilitated sexual assault, child sexual abuse, sexual abuse of the elderly, sex offender treatment and public policy concerning sex offenders. In addition, the second edition provides more Special Features which truly compliment the academic sections of the book. Also, this new edition completes each of the six parts of the text with a page of suggested discussion questions, videos to show and class activities. Authors Reddington and Kreisel approach the topic of sexual assault in a unique way by examining it from a criminal justice perspective. In giving an overview of sexual assault, examining its victimology, discussing the sexual offender, and looking at the... |
 |
The Trauma of Sexual Assault: Treatment, Prevention and Practice (Wiley Series in Clinical Psychology) by Jenny Petrak (Editor), Barbara Hedge (Editor) Rape and sexual assault are common crimes in our societies, but work on its psychosocial impact and critiques of procedures and interventions are hard to find. The Trauma of Sexual Assault fills these gaps. It focuses on adult victims and opens up the debate with research findings, theoretical perspectives and implications for treatment, longer-term management and future policy. Jenny Petrak and Barbara Hedge have skilfully drawn on the clinical practice of their authors to provide: the first text to consider the psychological impact of sexual assault on women and men a comprehensive flow-through model of psychological and social management from the initial presentation of the assaulted person onwards wide-ranging discussion of relevant issues, including culture, gender and... |
 |
Resurrection After Rape: A guide to transforming from victim to survivor by Matt Atkinson (Author) From the resurrectionafterrape website: Looking for a book about rape that's not depressing or boring, but doesn't avoid deeper emotions and questions either? Resurrection After Rape is a deeply-moving, powerful guide for women recovering from rape. What sets this apart from other books on rape is that this one isn't written only by a therapist; it's a collaboration between a therapist (and a male, at that!), and dozens of rape survivors who contribute their insights, journals, and art. Reading this book is like having your own room full of women who have succeeded in rape recovery, all of whom offer their guidance. Issues addressed include shame, depression, substance abuse, self-injury, spirituality, medical care, PTSD, flashbacks, and panic attacks. Contains the journals, art, and... |
 |
Sexual Assault Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad by MyHeritageWear.com The Sexual Assault Ribbon proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Sexual Assault Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Sexual Assault Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness! |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |