WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RITUAL ABUSE IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS?
Most symptoms are non-specific to ritual abuse. Trauma is trauma, and physical and sexual abuse are physical and sexual abuse. Because the abuse is so severe, the symptoms may be especially severe and recalcitrant. Symptoms that are suggestive of ritual abuse are either a fascination with or a phobia of objects, events, or symbols specific to ritual abuse and not generally encountered in other types of physical and sexual abuse. Examples of symbols include crosses, crucifixes, pentagrams (stars), eyes, “magick” and “occult” symbols, certain numbers, and certain colors. Objects provoking fascination or phobia can include blood, knives, electricity, coffins, dolls, babies, and certain animals. Events similar to abusive events may also provoke extreme reactions. These include the holi-days observed by the cult, medical and dental procedures, and childbirth or abortion.
Most symptoms are non-specific to ritual abuse. Trauma is trauma, and physical and sexual abuse are physical and sexual abuse. Because the abuse is so severe, the symptoms may be especially severe and recalcitrant. Symptoms that are suggestive of ritual abuse are either a fascination with or a phobia of objects, events, or symbols specific to ritual abuse and not generally encountered in other types of physical and sexual abuse. Examples of symbols include crosses, crucifixes, pentagrams (stars), eyes, “magick” and “occult” symbols, certain numbers, and certain colors. Objects provoking fascination or phobia can include blood, knives, electricity, coffins, dolls, babies, and certain animals. Events similar to abusive events may also provoke extreme reactions. These include the holi-days observed by the cult, medical and dental procedures, and childbirth or abortion.
Most symptoms are non-specific to ritual abuse. Trauma is trauma, and physical and sexual abuse are physical and sexual abuse. Because the abuse is so severe, the symptoms may be especially severe and recalcitrant. Symptoms that are suggestive of ritual abuse are either a fascination with or a phobia of objects, events, or symbols specific to ritual abuse and not generally encountered in other types of physical and sexual abuse. Examples of symbols include crosses, crucifixes, pentagrams (stars), eyes, “magic” and “occult” symbols, certain numbers, and certain colors. Objects provoking fascination or phobia can include blood, knives, electricity, coffins, dolls, babies, and certain animals. Events similar to abusive events may also provoke extreme reactions. These include the holidays observed by the cult, medical and dental procedures, and childbirth or abortion.
