PTSD and Sex
Kirby K. Reutter | September 11 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM | Room 2591
Sexual abuse has profound and devastating effects on the cognitive, emotional, and relational functioning of children. This training will explain how recent brain research has informed the new DSM-5 model for PTSD, resulting in a more accurate conceptualization of this diagnosis. In particular, this training will explain in simple language how traumatic events in general—and especially sexual abuse in particular—affect the developing brains of young children, resulting in symptoms of PTSD. Even after the original trauma has long ended, the after-effects of traumatic events sometimes take on a life of their own. This presentation will include case studies of severely traumatized residential adolescent clients who have survived the effects of human trafficking (both abroad and domestically).
Outcomes:
1) Participants will learn specific ways in which sexual trauma affects the neurological functioning of the brain.
2) Participants will learn the classic DSM-5 symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
3) Participants will learn how sexual abuse in particular especially generates and exacerbates PTSD symptomology.