A Review of Childhood Abuse, Health, and Pain-Related Problems: The Role of Psychiatric Disorders and Current Life Stress

• Published in: Journal of trauma & dissociation Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 170 - 188
• Main Authors: Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie, Cromer, Kiara, Hernandez, Annya, Kendall-Tackett, Kathleen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Brain - physiopathology; Child; child abuse; Child Abuse - psychology; Child Abuse - statistics & numerical data; Depressive Disorder, Major - drug therapy; Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; health psychiatric disorders; Health Status; Humans; Life Change Events; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - physiopathology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Pain - drug therapy; Pain - epidemiology; Risk-Taking; stress; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1529-9732; 1529-9740
• DOI: 10.1080/15299730802624585

The current article reviews recent research demonstrating the relationship between childhood physical and sexual abuse and adult health problems. Adult survivors of childhood abuse have more health problems and more painful symptoms. We have found that psychiatric disorders account for some, but not all, of these symptoms, and that current life stress doubles the effect of childhood abuse on health problems. Possible etiologic factors in survivors' health problems include abuse-related alterations in brain functioning that can increase vulnerability to stress and decrease immune function. Adult survivors are also more likely to participate in risky behaviors that undermine health or to have cognitions and beliefs that amplify health problems. Psychiatric disorders, although not the primary cause of difficulties, do have a role in exacerbating health and pain-related problems. We conclude by outlining treatment recommendations for abuse survivors in health care settings.