Citation

Sterman C. J. Chem. Depend. Treat. 2006; 8(2): 255-282.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Haworth Press)

DOI

10.1300/J034v08n02_13

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Whereas in “natural” trauma the victim, for instance, often has a reference group and faces a by and large sympathizing world, victims of “intentional” traumas are most often isolated and unacknowledged by this same world. Also, relationship and intimacy issues in this population are generally very pronounced. Beliefs about betrayal, guilt, distrust, shame, and other emotions as well as coping skills and defenses are largely formed early in life and the traumatized woman in adulthood often replays her earlier experiences in some self-damaging form based on these early beliefs and defenses. This is examined further in this chapter.