culties, and suicidal tendencies. Depression is the most prevalent symptom, however survivors also tend to experience chronic anxiety which may include anxiety attacks and phobias. Both depression and anxiety may result in sleep and/or appetite problems. The tendency to somaticize this distress is also common and may result in gastrointestinal difficulties or medical complaints such as chronic pelvic pain, headaches, backaches, genitourinary difficulties, and skin problems. Guilt and shame are prominent and may be manifested in poor body images or self-destructive behaviors to include self-mutilation. Since the body once betrayed the victim by becoming sexually stimulated at the hand of the offender, the victim may punish themselves and their bodies. Drug abuse and alcoholism are found to be significantly higher among this group compared to non-abused individuals. The adult incest victim faces sexuality issues, which result in relationship problems, sexual dysfunction, and/or promiscuity in some cases. Flashbacks may take place during sexual encounters resulting in fear, anger, or crying. Repression of the abuse may also be present with denial of feelings and dissociation or depersonalization from the self. Treatment for this individual must therefore provide a safe environment to facilitate disclosure with careful handling of the abused individual and their feelings.
Characteristics of Support Group Treatment of Incest Victims
Group therapy refers to an experience that takes place in a group and this experience has a dual focus for victims of incest. In this modality, the victim is encouraged to discuss their abuse experience and resulting feelings. Secondly the group members are also encouraged to investigate their feelings and reactions towards each other. In this manner, the victim is able to express the rage, loss, shame, self-doubt, and tendencies to take responsibility for the abuse, and they are also able to f...