Treating the Psychological Sequelae of Proactive Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault: Knowledge Building Through Systematic Case Based Research
Abstract
Background Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) has emerged as a distinct category of sexual victimization and precipitates posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few studies have examined the distinct psychological aspects of PTSD caused by DFSA. Gauntlett-Gilbert, Keegan and Petrak (2004) represent a notable exception and draw on cases, from their clinical experience, treated using Ehlers and Clarks' (2000) cognitive therapy (CT). Aims This paper aims to further develop and refine clinical knowledge on CT for PTSD arising from DFSA and advance the findings of Gauntlett-Gilbert et al. (2004). Method Systematic case based research was used to investigate the applicability of CT for PTSD related to DFSA. Three survivors were treated with CT within the South African context. Results The case series corroborated existing findings but also documented the presence of somatic and visual intrusions among survivors with partial or complete amnesia for rape and illustrated the utility of imagery interventions in targeting intrusions. The study highlighted the role of physical paralysis in DFSA in compounding helplessness/powerlessness and the necessity of enhancing physical agency and building social support. Conclusion Distinctive aspects of PTSD related to DFSA can be effectively treated by adapting CT to suit this population group.
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DFSA case-study findings highlight the manner in which peri-traumatic memories (i.e. last/first memory), though not necessarily traumatic in and of themselves, can take on traumatic proportions and become intrusive and triggering.
“Additionally, DFSA case-study findings highlight the manner in which peri-traumatic memories (i.e. last/first memory), though not necessarily traumatic in and of themselves, can take on traumatic proportions and become intrusive and triggering (Padmanabhanunni & Edwards, 2013).”
From Drug-facilitated sexual assault, impaired trauma memory, and implications for mental health treatment (2022) · cites this paper as Padmanabhanunni & Edwards, 2013
Case-based studies have provided considerations in adapting cognitive techniques for DFSA.
“Case-based studies have provided considerations in adapting cognitive techniques for DFSA (Gauntlett-Gilbert et al., 2004; Padmanabhanunni & Edwards, 2013).”
From Drug-facilitated sexual assault, impaired trauma memory, and implications for mental health treatment (2022) · cites this paper as Padmanabhanunni & Edwards, 2013
Padmanabhanunni and Edwards (2013) noted survivors in therapy often become preoccupied with trying to remember or believe they must remember in order to recover, as illustrated in the present qualitative findings.
“Padmanabhanunni and Edwards (2013) noted survivors in therapy often become preoccupied with trying to remember or believe they must remember in order to recover, as illustrated in our qualitative findings.”
From Drug-facilitated sexual assault, impaired trauma memory, and implications for mental health treatment (2022) · cites this paper as Padmanabhanunni & Edwards, 2013
Cites
Cognitive therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: development and evaluation
Ehlers, A., Clark, D. M., Hackmann, A., McManus, F., & Fennell, M. (2005) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2004.03.006 · Cited by 703 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Data-driven processing and the resultant fragmented recall often mean that clients with PTSD have difficulty recovering trauma memories, which leaves them confused about what actually happened (Ehlers et al., 2005).”
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Fields, L., Young, D. A., Patel, A. R., Munroe, C., Shumway, M., Bell, S., & Richer, L. A. (2022) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2022.2057165 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
- Authors
- Padmanabhanunni, A., & Edwards, D.
- Affiliations
- Rhodes University (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Padmanabhanunni, Anita
- Venue
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2012-12-11
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 371-375
- ISSN
- 1352-4658 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-1833
- OpenAlex
- W2166112905
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- drug-facilitated sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive therapy, visual intrusion, imagery intervention, social support, sexual assault survivors, South Africa
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anesthetics, Awareness, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Flunitrazepam, Helplessness, Learned, Humans, Power, Psychological, Rape, Mental Recall, Sodium Oxybate, Somatoform Disorders, Illicit Drugs, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Comorbidity, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Imagery, Psychotherapy, Crime Victims, Young Adult
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