This discussion concerns women survivors as little work has been reported on men. They may feel unworthy of love or happiness and feel they deserve abusive relationships and unhealthy lifestyles. They may present themselves with negativity and lack of self love. This disorder is seen more commonly amongst survivors of childhood sexual abuse than other psychiatric patients. Physical symptoms - Somatisation may present as headaches, dermatological disorders or pelvic pain.
Survivors have a higher incidence of gynaecological problems.
Eating disorders - Survivors are more likely to have body image problems leading to eating disorders, particularly bulimia. Defects in Interpersonal Relationships Impaired ability to form intimate and trusting relationships with men or women. Since the mother figure may be seen by the child as collaborating or at least failing to protect, survivors may feel anger towards both parents and may have difficulty relating to other women. Women victimised as children are more likely to become victims as adults and are more likely to be physically or sexually abused. Men who have been abused as children are more likely to become the perpetrators of abuse and this may be so of a small number of women survivors.