1. Abuso sessuale e PTSD complesso: gli effetti dello stress traumatico cronico sul sistema immunitario. Strategie d'intervento.
- Author
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Eibenstein, Rebecca and Fabrizi, Adele
- Subjects
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AUTONOMIC nervous system , *STIMULUS & response (Psychology) , *SEXUAL abuse victims , *IMMUNE system , *IMMUNE response , *PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY - Abstract
This paper shows the main features of complex PTSD in the context of sexual abuse and the impact that this disease, with the consequent chronic stress condition, may have on the traumatized patient, in particular on the immune system. The immune system has the ability to react in different ways to different stimuli. Moreover, learning and memory ability are demonstrated, showing how this system is intrinsecally connected to the environment. There is a growing evidence that the different response patterns of the immune system do not depend only on the type of stimulus (for example, virus, bacteria), but also on the microenvironment and on the general condition of the whole physiology, and therefore on the psychological stress too. Thus, it is clear how the immune system is able to interact with the nervous system and consequently with mental and relational phenomena. The chronic psychological stress observed in those who have suffered by cumulative interpersonal trauma may be considered an important factor with a negative effect on the immune system function and may lead to a dysregulation of the immune response that is the basis of many pathologies in which the immune system has a key role. Furthermore, a shift in the autonomic nervous system of victims exposed to sexual abuse has been detected, so that they have an hyperactivated visceral system that sends a continuous threatening feedback. This condition also has severe consequences on interactive and social capabilities, with a severe impact on the psychophysical well-being of the person. For this reason, it is necessary to develop interventions based on a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial approach that could help the traumatized people both to retune autonomic state to enable spontaneus social engagement and trust, and to heal the emotional and somatic components of the traumatic experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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