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Suggest Treatment For PTSD After Sexual Abuse
Question: I am a victim of sexual abuse via my father. I have been successfully dealing with the abuse for years...I removed myself from my parent's manipulation after several years of therapy, raised 3 productive happy girls, run/own 2 businesses and overall felt healthy both mentally & physically. Until a few weeks ago when a woman I had not seen or heard from for over 40 years contacted me via Facebook & ultimately revealed to me that my father also molested her while her family & mine were close friends. It has thrown me for a loop, I can't focus, I am sugar bingeing (sp) & need help getting back on stable ground.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
First of all, congratulations on your many successes. This is a testament to your strength.
With regard to your current situation, I recommend a couple of things.
First, I would show this woman support, and stand to her as an example of someone who can overcome these terrible things that happened to the both of you.
Second, I would look seriously at resuming psychotherapy. If your previous therapist is available, that would be a first choice, but any therapist would be able to help you think through this situations and you feelings, rather than acting on them (by binging), and ensure you continue to be stable.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
First of all, congratulations on your many successes. This is a testament to your strength.
With regard to your current situation, I recommend a couple of things.
First, I would show this woman support, and stand to her as an example of someone who can overcome these terrible things that happened to the both of you.
Second, I would look seriously at resuming psychotherapy. If your previous therapist is available, that would be a first choice, but any therapist would be able to help you think through this situations and you feelings, rather than acting on them (by binging), and ensure you continue to be stable.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you Dr Scheppe; However, I was hoping for an answer beyond what I could figure out myself. Without doubt I am supporting this other woman & have considered returning to therapy. At this point, however I believe I need medication to get over this hump rather than gaining 20 pounds while attending therapy. As a result of prior therapy I know what I need to do. However, focusing past this current trauma in order to put what I learned prior in therapy in practice is the issue. In all honesty I'd like a suggestion for medication so I can get myself back on track, not gain any weight (I have high cholesterol so gaining weight is not good) & get my focus back so my family life, businesses, etc don't suffer as I work through/past this. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
Unfortunately, there is no medication that has been shown in large scale clinical trials to be effective for PTSD. Your symptoms are consistent with PTSD, so the best treatment available is psychotherapy, particularly prolonged exposure therapy. I do not believe a medication would help with the symptoms you describe -- if anything, medications have side effects one of which is weight gain, so medications might actually harm you in this case.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
Unfortunately, there is no medication that has been shown in large scale clinical trials to be effective for PTSD. Your symptoms are consistent with PTSD, so the best treatment available is psychotherapy, particularly prolonged exposure therapy. I do not believe a medication would help with the symptoms you describe -- if anything, medications have side effects one of which is weight gain, so medications might actually harm you in this case.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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