Brain and Mind Integration: Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Experiencing Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment and Psychotherapy Concurrently

Abstract

Due to evidence that traumatic experience impacts the brain, the body (concerning sensory sensitivity), and the mind, a recent study that attempted to answer the question of whether the effects of CSA can be reversed by using a multidisciplinary approach consisting of dual treatments: hyperbaric & psychotherapy, was conducted. Its results showed that in addition to improvement of brain functionality, symptoms of distress were significantly reduced. The current paper aims to present the process as experienced by the 40 female childhood sexual abuse survivor participants. Data included participants' daily journals and drawings, and participants' summaries presented verbally and written, 6-months after the study ended. A phenomenological analysis was used. Results showed three phases, the initial phase—remembering the trauma from both physical and cognitive aspects, the second phase—physiological relaxation as well as positive memories emerge; and, the third phase—bouncing back to life. The results are discussed in light of the study theoretical model and Lev-Wiesel (2015) childhood sexual abuse conceptualization.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy vs. pharmacological intervention in adults with fibromyalgia related to childhood sexual abuse: prospective, randomized clinical trial

“…Beyond improvements in pain-related symptoms, the enhanced emotional state observed post-HBOT—characterized by reduced PTSD symptoms and depression rates and intensity—may further enhance daily functioning. Those results are in line with previous studies with veterans suffering from combat related PTSD 31 – 33 as well as the previous results from study done on FMS related CSA 20 , 42 . In longitudinal evaluation of these veterans with combat-related PTSD, it was demonstrated that the beneficial effects of HBOT persisted even two years after treatment 31 .…”

A Human Rights-Based Critical Discourse on the Abolition of Child Sexual Abuse

“…Several scholars focused on the factors, recruitment process, and strategies that contribute to children becoming prostitutes, such as poverty, low education, ignorance, maltreatment, and structural inequalities (Olofinbiyi, & Singh, 2020;Duger, 2015;Baird & Connolly, 2021;Letourneau et al, 2018;Hampton & Lieggi, 2018;Mathews & Collin, 2019;Hurst, 2019;Pellai & Myriam, 2015;Rudolph, et al 2018;UNICEF, 2020;Sutinah & Kinuthia, 2019;Coy, 2016;Reid, 2011;ECPAT, 2019). Some authors concentrate solely on the negative consequences of child prostitution, such as social marginality, low school attainment, a bleak future and negative stigma on children, childhood trauma, and the need for rehabilitation (Brown, 2019;Jazlyn et al, 2021;Leclerc et al, 2016;Levin, 2019;Susilowati & Dewi, 2019;Barrios et al, 2015;Lev-Wiesel et al, 2018).…”

Use of Self-Figure Drawing as an Assessment Tool for Child Abuse: Differentiating between Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Abuse

“…Previous studies discovered the link between CSA and the structural and functional changes in limbic and prefrontal brain regions such as the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, the orbital frontal cortex, and the subgenual area. The reduced activity in the orbital frontal cortex linked to damaged emotional inhibition, social behavioral problems, and violations, whereas the disruption in the subgenual area induced mood disorders such as depression [ 34 , 35 ].…”