POST 1
Discuss child abuse. What is the definition of abuse? Are there different types of
abuse? How many types of abuse did these children suffer?
The book Little Girl Leaving written by Lisa Blume talks about Deidei a little girl that has been
sexually abused. The book also mentions her brother Matti who has been a victim two.
These two characters react totally differently to the same kind of abuse. However, Deidei
disassociates from the abuse by finding comforting in imagining beautiful things and hopes
for the future. On the other hand Matti kills and abuses small animals deflecting his anger. In
this context, The American Psychological Association (APA) defines abuse as(interactions in
which one person behaves in a cruel, violent, demeaning, or invasive manner toward
another person or an animal. The term most commonly implies physical mistreatment but
also encompasses sexual and psychological (emotional) mistreatment (APA, 2018). As I
previously stated on the definition, abuse can be of a physical nature as well as emotional.
Deidei and Matti suffered verbal abuse, physical and sexual abuse. This was without a doubt
a poignant read.(
What psychiatric and substance use disorders are associated with histories of child
sexual abuse? How do the symptoms of dissociation develop?
Childhood abuse is associated with increased psychopathology, including major
depression,(bipolar disorder,(anxiety disorder,(attempted suicide, post-traumatic stress
disorder, AUD and substance use disorder (SUD). Childhood abuse has been associated
with an earlier age of AUD onset (Schückher(et al.,2019) In addition, victims of sexual abuse
may go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and experience disturbing
thoughts and feelings related to the past trauma they experienced. Symptoms of PTSD vary
but can include: intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative feelings, irritability and reactivity. If
left untreated PTSD can(lead to other mental health issues including substance use
disorders such as alcohol, drugs as a way to self medicate((American Addiction Centers,
2019). Symptoms of disassociation develop as a result of a trauma. Disassociation is a way
for the individual to escape(NAMI,n.d).(There are three types of dissociative disorders
defined in the(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders((DSM): Dissociative
Amnesia,(Depersonalization disorder, and(Dissociative identity disorder. The recommended
treatments for these are: Psychotherapies (CBT, DBT), Eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing (EMDR) along with antidepressant medications to treat the symptoms
associated with the condition (NAMI, n.d).(
References
American Addiction Centers. (2019, July 19). Childhood Sexual Trauma and the Risk for
Addiction. Retrieved from(https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/the-link-between-sexual-
abuse-and-substance-abuse
American Psychological Association (APA). (2018). APA Dictionary of Psychology - Abuse.
Retrieved from(https://dictionary.apa.org/abuse
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (n.d.). Dissociative Disorders. Retrieved
from(https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/dissociative-disorders
Schückher, F., Sellin, T., Engström, I.(et al.(History of childhood abuse is associated with
less positive treatment outcomes in socially stable women with alcohol use disorder.(BMC
Women's Health(19,#159 (2019).(https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0857-4
Reply 1:
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines abuse as an act of interaction in
which a person behaves cruel, demeaning, violent and invasive manner towards another
person. Sure, abuse is a shocking and alarming thing that needs much attention. Some of the
forms of the child abuse include sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and physical abuse. I
acknowledge that in the book Deider the little girl is sexually abused and the action
traumatizes her. Moreover, Matti who is a brother to Deider is also a victim of sexual abuse.
The increase in psychology including bipolar disorder, depression, stress disorder, and
anxiety disorder increases child abuse. I concur that child abuse is often associate d with
early age of AUD onset. Of course, victims of sexual abuse experience disturbing thoughts
and are greatly affected. Just the same, dissociation symptoms develop as a result of trauma.
There are three types of dissociative disorders namely dissociative identity disorder,
depersonalization disorder, and dissociative Amnesia. To conclude, the utmost treatment for
the disorders is psychotherapy and eye movement for decentralization.
References
Giovannoni, J. M., & Becerra, R. M. (1979). Defining child abuse.
Briere, J. N. (1992). Child abuse trauma: Theory and treatment of the lasting effects. Sage
Publications, Inc.
Summit, R. C. (1983). The child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome. Child abuse &
neglect, 7(2), 177-193.
Post 2:
(Discuss mental instability, substance use and generational transmission. Why do you think
this girl’s father abused her? Why do you think her mother did not believe her? Why do you
think her brother behaved as he did?
( ( ( ( (Many of us would agree that abuse substance is a highly addictive drug and it has
strong effects on the CNS. Those serious effects on the brain, which may account for many
negative behavior and psychiatric symptoms. Abusers may experience “psychosis;
depression; intense paranoia; visual and auditory hallucinations; rapid mood changes;
irritability; out-of-control rages; and suicidal, repetitive, and violent behavior” (Schneller et al.,
2018, p. 12). Furthermore, schneller et al. (2018) explained long term user may have a
disruption of normal brain functioning that can be long lasting, and psychotic symptoms may
persist for months or years after drug use has ended. Pregnant drug addict mother may give
low birth weight baby and is often associated with neurodevelopmental results such as
behavioral and cognitive deficits. Children whose parents abuse drug are exposed to a
variety of risks. They may be neglected by their parent so violence, including severe
domestic violence and being abuse is common in this case. Children may experience
physical, sexual, and emotional abuse from their substance-abusing parents and other adult
who frequently come to visit.
( ( ( ( (There are many reason for the father to abuse his own daughter ranging from
pedophile to psychotic issues or simple excuse because he can. The mother did not believe
her because of selfish issue. She may want to keep her relationship with other family
member intact. The brother behaves as he did can be an early sign of psychotic disorder. On
the other hand, the brother may experience emotional pain. As we can see, he has few
social resources for coping or understanding problems involving his families. So he becomes
avoidant or destructive coping strategies. According to Hebert et al. (2018), those will include
thought and attention problems, rule-breaking, and aggressive behavior. The brother may
also a victim of sexual abuse too. Boisjoli et al. (2019) found “the victim of abuse often has
alexithymia, which is difficulty in identifying and expressing feelings, is associated with the
quality of(relationship and behavior problems” (p. 66).
·( Discuss abandonment. Should her mother or grandmother have done something? Was
her mother's inaction as injuring as the abuse perpetrated by her father?
( ( ( ( (Yes, the mother or grandmother should have done something. The inaction is as
damaging as the abuse perpetrated by her father. Prolonged hazards of all types according
to Humphreys et al. (2018) are thought to increase the risk for developmental difficulties and
reduce the likelihood of resilience following adversity. Inaction is the same as abandon them.
This phenomenon is definitely will cause some level of psychological damage that may
produce certain disorder behavior. It is well known that severe family relationship conflicts
have detrimental effects on child development, relationships, and future adjustment.( Many
mothers who have experienced abuse according to Rossman and Rea (2015) will have also
show to use inconsistent parenting styles and more punitive or dismissive parenting
strategies. This is probably consistent with the story lines. My suspicion is the mother and
grandmother also the victim of abuse so they choose more dismissive parenting style or
become avoidant. This is a complex family issue with many psychiatric disorder in the family
in present time and future. Abuse child will have many disorder in later life.
References:
Boisjoli, C., Hébert, M., Gauthier-Duchesne, A., & Caron, P. (2019). A mediational model
linking perceptions of security, alexithymia and behavior problems of sexually abused
children.(Child Abuse & Neglect,(92, 66–76.(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.03.017
Hébert, S. T., Hélie, S., & Esposito, T. (2018). Temporary placements: A crisis-management
strategy for physically abused children?(Child Abuse & Neglect,(86, 314–
323.(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.09.005
Humphreys, K. L., Miron, D., McLaughlin, K. A., Sheridan, M. A., Nelson, C. A., Fox, N. A., &
Zeanah, C. H. (2018). Foster care promotes adaptive functioning in early adolescence
among children who experienced severe, early deprivation.(Journal of Child Psychology &
Psychiatry,(59(7), 811–821.(https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12865
Rossman, R., & Rea, J. (2015). The relation of parenting styles and inconsistencies to
adaptive functioning for children in conflictual and violent families.(Journal of Family
Violence, 20, 261–277.
Schneller, P. L., Kennedy, J., Kennedy, J., & Metz, Z. (2018). The road to recovery from
alcoholism and addiction: Retribution or restoration?(Bulgarian Comparative Education
Society.
Response:
Of course, substance abuse is alarming niche that needs crucial attention by the
government. Some of the causes of substance use disorder are tense home environment, lack
of parental attachment, family history of addiction, and financial difficulties. Another thing, I
acknowledge abuse substance has hazardous effect to the brain. The effects are conclusive
and account for a wide range of negative behaviors.
Sure, abusers tend to experience depression, rapid mood changes, auditory and visual
hallucinations, suicidal and violent behaviors. I concur that children whose parents are drug
addicts are often exposed to array of risks. I mean, the children always feel neglected and
become victims of severe domestic violence. These children experience sexual, physical, and
emotional abuse from their substance abusing parents.
A close reflection of the book shows that psychotic or paedophile issues prompted the
father to abuse his daughter. However, in such situations and abuse, the mother fails to
believe her daughter because of selfish issues. Just the same, the brother is affected with
family wrangles abuse and experiences emotional pain. The abuse destabilizes the brother
making him more avoidant and destructive. Last but not least, it is true that child abuse
causes many disorders in later life. Concluding, victims of abuse often have Alexithymia
making it difficult to identify and express feelings.
References
National Research Council (US). Assembly of Behavioral, Social Sciences. Committee on
Substance Abuse, & Habitual Behavior. (1977). Common Processes in Habitual Substance
Use: A Research Agenda: PROCEEDINGS Conference on Commonalities in Substance
Abuse and Habitual Behavior. National Academies
World Health Organization. Mental Health Evidence, Research Team, World Health
Organization. Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, & Disease Control Priorities
Project. (2006). Disease control priorities related to mental, neurological, developmental and
substance abuse disorders. World Health Organization
World Health Organization. Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, World Health
Organization, World Health Organization. Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse.
Mental Health, World Health Organization. Mental Health Evidence, & Research Team.
(2005). Mental health atlas 2005. World Health Organization.
