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Commentary

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Eileen Vizard
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The key messages emerging from this paper are the need for early intervention in all cases of known or suspected child abuse, and the necessity for practitioners to remain alert to the possible early traumatic origins of adult symptomatology. These clear messages are amply supported by research (Lindberg & Distad, 1985; Browne & Finklehor, 1986; Briere, 1992; Mendel, 1995; Styron & Janoff-Bulman, 1997). The paper suggests that services for both victims and perpetrators could be identified and provided much sooner if the process is started with an ‘overall statement of risk’ or risk assessment. Given the connections between child abuse, family violence and various physical, psychosomatic and emotional problems presenting to doctors in all specialities, it is clear that “The likelihood of a clinician encountering past or current abuse is overwhelming” (p. 109). The message here is that all doctors, not just psychiatrists, should be alert to the possibility of abuse in the past history or present symptomatology of their patients.

Type
Article Commentary
Information
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , March 1998 , pp. 116 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 1998 

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