Expressive Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Sexually Abused Children

Abstract

Sexual abuse can have many varied impacts on children and young people. The stress suffered by an abused child can cause mental health issues including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Acording to the psychological impact of sexual abuse, several studies considered sexual abuse as a traumatic experience that has adverse effects. However, female who are sexual abused generally reveals significant problems in diverse areas of functioning including those in affective, behavioral, cognition and interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this study is to review the treatments and procedures designed to reduce depression, anxiety, sexual trauma and low selfesteem. It aims to highlight psychodrama as a therapeutic tool to support and help female adolescents with sexual abused experience. Further, the study provides a brief overview on what occurs during a traumatic experience based on the sexual event, the theory behind psychodrama, and how psychodrama is used with clients who were sexually abused. Finally, the study adds to the literature, a new therapeutic approach that can be applied to sexually abused victims as an intervention technique