Road to recovery is long, but healing is possible for Cleveland kidnapping survivors

[DonViejo]

Experts weigh in on the long process of recovery for the three women who survived ten years of violent captivity

BY KATIE MCDONOUGH

On Monday, after a daring escape initiated by Amanda Berry and assisted by two neighbors, Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were finally freed from ten years of violent captivity. After a decade of mental, physical and sexual abuse, the process of recovery for these three women will no doubt be long; but healing is possible, experts say.

In order to do so, mental health and trauma specialists say, these women will need the support of friends and family, therapy and, perhaps most importantly, privacy. “It is important, some therapists said, that the women not be turned into a spectacle, their identities as individuals diminished to ‘kidnap victims,’” notes Erica Goode at the New York Times.

Research shows that survivors of long-term abuse, aided by therapy and strong relationships, can recover from past traumas and resume “normal” life; but healing can be a lifelong process, according to the Times:

Studies have found that about two-thirds of children who are kidnapped or abused have lingering psychological disturbances, including depression and the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The toll of prolonged abuse is physical as well as psychological, as the body tries to cope with constant fear…

full article
http://www.salon.com/2013/05/10/road_to_recovery_is_long_but_healing_is_possible_for_cleveland_survivors/