Suggest Treatment For Post Traumatic Depression In Children Who Are Sexually Abused

Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 Answered on

Thu, 14 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

Recently my mother told me that a granddaughter (who I will call XXXXX) confessed to her that she had been sexually abused by her half brother. XXXXXXX was about 9, and he was about 15. XXXXXXX also told my mother that her mom (XXXXX) knows about the abuse, but her father (XXXXX) apparently does not.

My mother does not know what to do. She fears that if she tells XXXXXXX that may cause a divorce, and XXXXXXX (also my mother's daughter) may blame her. XXXXXXX currently has 3 children and does not work. XXXXXXX has a good job and is the provider.
XXXXXXX is now 14 and the offender is 20. The offense does not happen anymore. XXXXXXX and the offender are biological sons of XXXXXXX

What can my mother do to help XXXXXXX without causing a potential divorce and/or damage to XXXXXs family?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need info

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

In order to help you I need more info

1. How old was she when she told the grand mother
2. Is it affecting her day to day life?
3. Does she get nightmares about it?
4. Does she have trust issues because of this?

Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 hours later)

1. She was 14 years old when she told grandmother, and it was about 3 weeks ago.
2. Yes, it's affecting her day to day life.
3. She did not tell grandmother about any nightmares, but she has always had problems in school.
4. Yes, she has trust issues and likes to be alone.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Requires counselling

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back. I am sorry for the short delay in my reply

From the history you have given me it looks like she has post traumatic depression. By approaching her grand mother it is a clear indication that she is finding it difficult and that the incident is running in her head all the time. She needs someone to talk to to come out of it and it is best that this person is a 3rd party and not a family member.
Here is how you should go about it

1. Make sure she is comforted well at home and surrounded my supportive family members
2. Find her a new hobby which she would keep herself engaged in
3. Approach a good counselor preferably a child counselor.
4. Ideally this incident has to be reported. But that is between Venessa and her family as major issues with the father are involved .
5. Also ask Venessa how she would like to go about it and find out from her what action needs to be taken. Most often they would have decided the course of action
6. If the counselor feels she is in severe depression, she might have to be put on anti depressants for a short while

I hope I was of help, I am once again sorry for the delay. I just got back from work

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (20 hours later)

Thank you for your response.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I am glad I was of help

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T