Michael Dadson: Sexual Abuse and Clinical Counselling for Depression, Substance Abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Sexual Abuse Can Result in a Lifetime of Compromised Mental Health, Especially When Left Unaddressed, According to Langley, BC Clinical Counsellor, Dr. Michael Dadson
Today’s cultural shifts in attitudes towards sexuality are changing the very nature of sexual relations. Social media campaigns such as such as the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have made examples of high profile abusers. The movements also seem to have had the desired effect of curtailing and raising awareness of sexual abuse throughout Western society.
Wikipedia defines sexual abuse as:
“Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another. When force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault …. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser, or (often pejoratively) molester. The term also covers any behavior by an adult or older adolescent towards a child to stimulate any of the involved sexually.”
Sexual Abuse Can Cause Depression
Depression is more common in women than in men, according to statistics, as is having been the victim of sexual abuse.
According to benttreecounselling.co:
“Women who were emotionally, physically or sexually abused as children or adults are more likely to experience depression at some point in their lives than those who weren’t abused. Women are more likely than men to experience sexual abuse.”
Dr. Dadson counsels many clients for depression, as it is one of Canada’s most common mental health challenges.
Sexual Abuse Can Lead to Addiction, PTSD, Substance Abuse
The Sante Center for Healing offers treatment for addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to The Sante Center:
“…People who suffer sexual abuse might have episodes when they see the people who abused them. In addition, feelings can be triggers. Because of that, it’s often hard for people to figure out everything that triggers their PTSD response.”
It is not surprising that in the past, with attitudes of shame towards sexuality (especially female sexuality and homosexuality), most victims never received any counselling or treatment following their abuse.
PTSD and depression are important contributors to addiction and substance abuse in both men and women.
Dr. David Dadson sees more male clients come to his clinic with PTSD, anger, and substance abuse issues than with depression:
“I specialize in gender and gender role trauma, looking at the differences between genders, how men tend to respond to traumatic responses; there are similarities and differences and looking at the differences. knowing the differences can be really helpful”
Male and Female Sexual Abuse Survivors – Men Less Likely to Get Help
Women are not the only victims of sexual abuse of course, but they are more likely to report it and to seek treatment for the possible damage to their mental health.
Society traditionally does not have a place or a voice for male sexual abuse survivors, and arguably that is still the case. Perhaps one day there will be a #MeToo movement specific to men, but it is yet to come.
An excellent article on psychiatrictimes.com visits the topic of a male #MeToo movement, drawing attention to the disparity between male and female survivors of sexual abuse and the deleterious effects of the abuse throughout a lifetime:
“…some may find it surprising that at least 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before their 18th birthday.1 This number rises to 1 in 4 men who experience unwanted sexual events across their lifetime.”
The National Library of Medicine published an article, Anxiety related to sexual abuse: A case of recurrent priapism regarding a male survivor of sexual abuse who consented to the publication and study of his case in order to help other victims and sufferers of his conditions.
It seems that his situation was not typical, but worth understanding, especially in light of the fact that much less is understood about sexual abuse in men than in women. The patient suffered severe depression, was subject to intense rage, guilt about the rage, anxiety, and several other challenges, including substance abuse. According to the article:
“After the first 2 years of weekly psychotherapy, he exhibited significant psychological and physical signs of improvement with reduced anxiety, depression, irritable bowel, angina episodes and migraine. He had markedly reduced alcohol use, ceased marijuana and returned to work 1 year into treatment.”
The Government of Canada has done some good work on exploring the issues of men who are sexual abuse survivors. According to a research study, “Male Survivors Of
Sexual Abuse and Assault: Their Experiences”:
“…there is a social stigma associated with male victims, and as such, the societal perception and response to male victims is different than for female victims. Based on their experiences, participants also found this to be true.”
Says Dr. Michael Dadson:
“Men generally do handle emotions and stressors differently from women. Whereas female victims of sexual abuse are more prone to suffering depression, the male victims would be more likely to present with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and benefit from a completely different approach in therapy.”
Church Sex Abuse Scandals Focused on Crime and Punishment
AmericaMagazine.org published an article suggesting that, while it is important for justice to be meted out to sex abusers in the church, the victims are all too often simply collateral damage and not offered the mental health support which they need.
According to the article:
“Oceans of ink have been spilled about the church’s sexual abuse crisis, mostly focusing on the perpetrators and cover-ups. The magnitude of the crimes deserves attention and condemnation, but the victims should not be ignored.”
Relationship Between Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders have been in the public eye for several decades now and various treatments and therapies are available for people suffering from them.
The origins and causes of eating disorders are varied and not completely understood, but it appears that there may be a causal link between sexual abuse and eating disorders. According to Wiley Online Library:
“At initial contact in an eating disorders clinic, 712 female eating disorder patients were asked if they had been physically or sexually abused as children. They also completed a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and an Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). Their eating disorder symptom frequency and severity was determined. They were asked if they had alcohol problems, had attempted suicide, or had shoplifting problems. Twenty‐nine percent reported sexual abuse.”
According to one article at the American Psychological Association:
“…all eating disorder subtypes had significantly higher rates of sexual abuse compared to a rate of 7% in CW Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)”
“a model which hypothesizes an indirect relationship between sexual abuse (SA) and eating disorders (EDs), with the effects of SA mediated through bodily shame and body disparagement.”
According to Dr. Michael Dadson:
“There are eating disorders and then there is disordered eating. Eating is connected with nurturance and caregiving. With clients who are looking for relief from any kind of food- or eating-related issues, I encourage making mealtimes social. Sitting down with people you care about and having a comfortable, emotionally engaged, supportive meal provides the physical nurturance and also provides the emotional nurturance.”
Gentle Currents Counselling and Neurofeedback is currently open for in-person clinical counselling and Neurotherapy treatments. Secure online counselling sessions are also available by appointment in case you prefer to stay at home.
Dr. Michael Dadson, PHD
Jeanette Dadson, Neurofeedback Therapist
Gentle Currents
Counselling and Neurofeedback
Belmont Centre
#109 20103 40th Avenue
Langley BC, V3A 2W3
Call/Text: (778) 554-0174
info@gentlecurrentstherapy.com
