MS and the link to Adverse Childhood Experiences
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Awareness is important because acknowledgment of the problem is the first step on the path to change. Surprisingly, this topic does tie into multiple sclerosis.
First, I go over some facts about sexual assault. There are varying definitions of rape in different countries so it’s hard to get accurate worldwide statistics, so I focus on the US today.
Dr. Carsten Spitzer
Then you get to hear from Dr. Carsten Spitzer. He is a full professor and medical director at University Medical Center Rostock in Rostock Germany. He is a board-certified specialist in Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy and the author of many papers including “Childhood Trauma in Multiple Sclerosis: a Case-Control Study”. I am so lucky have been able to track him down and incredibly grateful that he was willing to chat with me over zoom a few weeks ago.
Besides Dr. Spitzer’s paper, I made use of these papers:
“Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Reaction to Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis” by Tehila Eilam-Stock et al.
“Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis is Associated with Childhood Adversities” by Gesa E. A. Pust et al.
“Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study” by Vincent J Felitti MD et al.
“The nature of genetic and environmental susceptibility to multiple sclerosis” Douglas S. Goodwin et al.
HERE IS THE WEBSITE FOR THE “RAPE, ABUSE, & INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK”
In the upcoming episode, I will talk about EMDR therapy as a tool to release trauma and find health and wellness again.
You can always reach me at info@MSexualHealth.com or find me on IG @MSandSex
I LOVE to hear from listeners!