Resources  email page print page Basic Information Introduction to AbuseAbuse DefinedTypes of AbuseDomestic Settings of AbuseInstitutional Settings of Abuse and Hate CrimesRecognizing AbuseEffects of AbusePost-Abuse Vulnerabilities Why Do People Abuse?Why Do Adults Stay In Abusive Relationships?Changing Attitudes About AbuseIf You Are An Abuser...If You or Your Children Are Currently Experiencing Abuse...Abuse - If You Have Been Assaulted or Raped...If You Are a Third Party to Abuse...Preventing AbuseAfter the Abuse Has EndedAbuse Reporting Resources More Information 'The Magdalene Sisters' as an Illustrated Abuse PrimerAbuse Reporting ResourcesAn Interview with Daniel Sonkin, Ph.D. on Domestic ViolenceElder AbuseHow Does the Child Welfare System Work?Legal Assistance for Elder AbuseMandated Reporters of Child AbuseSexual Assault ResourcesSome Thoughts about Victimization, Anger and AbuseThe Bystander Effect, What Would You Do?Wise Counsel Interview Podcast: Steven Levenkron, MS on Childhood Sexual Abuse of Women Latest News Violence Between Couples May Not Be SpontaneousBattered Women's Ills Go Beyond BruisesImpact of Maternal Depression and Abuse on Children StudiedDoctors May Be Able to Predict Domestic Abuse Questions and Answers Insane JealousyHow Can I Talk About My Greatest Fear?InorgasmiaAm I In Danger?Sexual Abuse and Its Effects on Relationships AfterwardsSociopath or Sociopath-like Product of My Environment?Is She Mentally Ill?Narcissistic StepfatherWill the abuse still continue?Anger Blog Entries The Bystander Effect, What Would You Do?An Interview with Daniel Sonkin, Ph.D. on Domestic ViolenceThe Child is Father to the Man Abuse of Special Needs Children in our Public SchoolsChild Abuse PreventionBorderline Personality DisorderShould I Stay or Leave this Marriage or "When Is Enough Enough?"Child Abuse and Chronic Fatigue SyndromeAn Interview with Yulonda Brown on Surviving Abuse and Bipolar DisorderDomestic Violence: The Hidden Story of Abused MenAbused as a Child: Permanently Damaged?The Sexual Harassment of Girls and Sexual Minorites In Our SchoolsThe Long Lasting Negative Effects of AbusePeople Who Abuse, Are they Evil?Sexual Harassment in the Work Place, An ongoing problemAn Interview with Steven Levenkron, MS on Women's Childhood Sexual AbuseElder AbuseSome Thoughts about Victimization, Anger and AbuseThe Borderline Personality Disordered Family, Part III, HealingThe Borderline Personality Disordered Family, Part II: The ChildrenThe Borderline Personality Disordered Family, Part IYoung Women and Sexual VictimizationIs This the Right Person for Me?Why People Remain In Abusive Relationships: Another Point of ViewWhat Kind of Father Are You?Good article concerning 'Spiritual' AbuseStockholm Syndrome and Regular Old AbuseEarly verbal abuse results in more adult depressionThe Deleterious Effects of Child Abuse'The Magdalene Sisters' as an Illustrated Abuse Primer Links [2] Articles[2] Associations[9] Community[3] Government[45] Information[4] Journals[1] Training[3] Research[1] Self-Help[7] Personal Experiences Book Reviews A Stir of BonesAccounts of InnocenceBecoming AnnaBreathing UnderwaterBruisesBut I Love HimDemons of the Modern WorldLittle ChicagoThe Kindness of StrangersThe UnsayableTrue BelieverViolent PartnersWhen Jeff Comes Home

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Allan Schwartz, Ph.D. Dr. Schwartz's Weblog

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The American Academy of Neurology published yet one more finding that demonstrates the negative effects of child abuse long after a woman has reached adulthood. Migraine headaches are a fairly common phenomenon. However, those women who suffer depression along with migraine headaches are likely to have been abused when they were children according to research conducted by the Academy.

This study lends further proof to the fact that mind and body are not separate and that health problems later in life can be caused by events during childhood that had the effect of altering neurobiological systems. In other words, abuse during childhood has terrible health consequences later in life.

If the abuse suffered by these women continued beyond age 12, the women with the migraines were five times more likely to report depression.

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There is also evidence that sexual abuse is even more devastating than physical abuse resulting in even greater physical and psychological problems later in life.

These findings hold solid when compared to women who experience migraine headaches but do not have depression. Women who do not experience depression but suffer from migraine headaches are most likely to have not been abused, either sexually or physically.

Leonard Shengold, MD, wrote a powerful book about child abuse that was called Soul Murder. His book is brilliant and brought into sharp focus just how harmful abuse is for children. The title of the book is extremely compelling and he explains the title in the text. The harm caused by child abuse and neglect, of all types, causes not only physical and mental harm but destroys a person's spirit.

There is treatment available in the form of various types of psychotherapy, as well as medication, for the survivors of abuse. In addition, there are many support groups available in most communities nationwide.

You comments are always welcome and encouraged.

Readers in the Boulder, Colorado metro area (or Denver area people willing to drive) may contact Dr. Schwartz for face-to-face consultation and psychotherapy. Email him at dransphd@aol.com for details.

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Thank you!

Yes, but... - - Feb 10th 2009

The information here is true to my knowledge but there are no explainations fo anything. There is nothing indicating any kind of disorders or illness' caused by abuse. If there were the information would be a lot more helpful. 

there is always light in the darkness - maricel masadao - Feb 4th 2009

leslie,don' lost hope.always remember that there is still a light in the dark.move on.always put in your mind that not all boys have the same feather.you see? my family cares and loves me so much.and please dont blame God for leting that happen to u,maybe He has a reason for that.have faith in God,always pray that He will help u to move on for He is our light and He is our hope.....................i will pray for u and MAY GOD BLESS YOU...................

when i was - Leslie - Sep 27th 2008

only a little girl my grandpa sexually abused me...i am now 18 yrs old and ever since i was little i have been scared of my dad. it hurts me inside to have thoughts in my head that my own dad wants to sexually abuse me but i know its all in my head..just last year i started developing mental issues i never thought i would be going through this..like anxieties,panics, phobias, obsessive thoughts ofthings i had never thought of in my life, i havent even been able to finish school, i avoid my friends, i spend months locked in my house, nothing is like it once was before  it hurts really bad, i know somehow someway im gonna come out of this, im still fighting this..to anybody reading this if you have been sexually abused and feel like their is no hope their is you just gotta reach out for it i know i will and im still reaching

abuse - - Jul 21st 2008
i have been taught not ti talk about it but i think i have been so many ti mes i can not count my firest time about 4yrs i am know 53 i have been raped 3 times just from my husband his right ok for him my first my uncle shortly after my firdt time my mom and dad divorxed so therre are more but i dont want to go thrre

Why - Diane - Jul 12th 2008

I was abused when i was lttle. I'm 42 and i had my first sexual relationship when i was 40. One of the people who abused me died 3 years ago and for some unknown reason after shutting it to the back of my mind for over 30 years i want to talk about that abuse. I want questions answering like why me and were the abusers abjsed themselves ?. When this person died i went out of control drinking meeting men off the internet having sex for no reason, drinking even more then when i was drunk self harming myself and calling the police getting locked in cells going to the hospital then i went to the doctors for help they told me i was an alcholic and i had to stop drinking so i could get help i find out now it was crap doctors have no idea what people like me go through there is no help out there for people like me and what annoys me even more is the likes of the abuser get more money spent on them then people who have been abused. I have been sober for almost a month and where is the help i spoke to my so called doctor not so long ago and she accused me of being drunk over the phone what am i suppsoe to do i'm in a relationship that is controlled not only verbually but sexually and i have no one to turn to.

metal abuse - shara - Apr 16th 2008

i am verably abused from my father that turns into a very big and loud arugument i have no where to go.and i am very sick and in pain. please respond.

migraine and child abuse - Marie - Feb 22nd 2008

I am a 61 year old retired lady. I have suffered fron severe, prolongued migraines for 40 years. I take multiple prophylactic drugs which are moderately effective.

I suffered serious, physical and emotional abuse for 12 years at 2 convent schools. It was grievous bodily harm including a fractured finger and a perforated eardrumI was once bashed unconscious by a nun. I was 4 years old.

I was caned nearly every day. I was frankly out of my mind with terror, every day for 12 years.

I have symptoms of PTSD including hypervililance, exaggerated startle reflex, nightmares and performance anxiety. I shake and tremble during choir concerts or piano and clarinet lessons.I know I do have a genetic susceptibility to migraine but I am convinced, after much research that my 12 years of terrible fear, pain and despair has made my migraine very much worse.My nightmares are always about people hurting or killing me.

I am lucky that I have a wonderful husband of 35 years who always loves and supports me. I have never developed depression.