Figure 2-1: Symptoms and Syndromes Associated With Childhood Abuse and Neglect

Most Common Responses

  • Helplessness
  • Low self-esteem
  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Anger
  • Suicidal behavior
  • Posttraumatic stress disorders
  • Posttraumatic stress symptoms
  • Substance abuse disorders
  • Difficulty in close or intimate relationships
Less Common Responses
  • Dissociation symptoms
  • Dissociative (traumatic) amnesia
  • Dissociative identity disorder
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Antisocial personality disorder
  • Somatization and other medical problems
  • Compulsive and indiscriminate sexual activity
  • Bingeing or chronic overeating
  • Self-mutilation or other self-harm
Source: Adapted from Briere, 1997 (see also Felitti et al., 1998; Whitfield, 1995, 1997b).

From: Chapter 2—Screening and Assessing Adults For Childhood Abuse and Neglect

Cover of Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with Child Abuse and Neglect Issues
Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with Child Abuse and Neglect Issues.
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 36.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
Copyright Notice

NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.