Reports on sexual abuse by eating-disordered women before and after psychotherapy: a comparison of anamnestic and catamnestic data

Abstract

Prior to inpatient treatment in a specialized clinic, and again 2.7 years after discharge, we questioned 748 eating-disordered women about experienced sexual abuse. Within this period of time, during which therapy had taken place, the recorded incidence of criminally relevant sexual abuse doubled. The authors believe that this fact is mainly due to the cancellation of amnesia caused by repression, denial or dissociation. If so, the frequency of memory recovery would become measurable. We also examine the incidence of sexual abuse within the various diagnostic groups. We conclude with a discussion of the reliability of the data recorded and of the memory itself (‘false memory syndrome’). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.