[Sexual assault and post-traumatic stress disorder]

ABSTRACT

Sexual assault is an assault on the physical and psychological integrity of the child. She is qualified when it is incest within the family. The posttraumatic stress disorder is a psychological reaction that can be substantial. Mr B. Nabil aged 25 was hospitalized for a psychiatric depressive syndrome. At the age of 6, his older brother was sexually assaulted. The child took refuge in silence and presented problems which regressed spontaneously rained a few weeks later. His adolescence was marked by relational instability, impulsivity and manifest a tendency to consumption of toxic substances. In adulthood, he enlisted in the army which he could difficultly adapted to the new situation until to the occurrence of an incident [sexual advances by a friend] who reactivated her painful memories. He presented a state of post-traumatic stress disorder complicated by depression and decided to break the silence wanting consultant in psychiatry. The posttraumatic stress disorder and depression are psychological consequences of sexual assault. The disclosure process is long, complex and painful. A multidisciplinary approach allowed the patient to overcome the shame, guilt and fear and to manage invasive and painful memories. The state of posttraumatic stress may persist for several years in the absence of treatment. An early care, sensitive and multidisciplinary improves prognosis