Joline appeared to meet some diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The psychologist completed her initial assessment by interviewing Joline 's school teacher and classmates. Based on Joline 's performance and behaviour in school, psychologist suspected that abuse had occurred and Joline was suffering from its effects. Further investigation on Joline 's case, psychologist found out that Joline had nightmares about the abuse and anxiety when conformed to the fact she might have to face her father in court. Symptoms of PTSD were also evident in Joline 's anger and concentration problems. She often avoided talking further about the abuse, was detached from others, and was disinterested in activities that used to make her happy. These symptoms affected Joline 's social and academic status which can consider that she has Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Some risk factors may participate sexual abuse that include low family income, marital conflict, presence of step father, isolated family, parental substance abuse, patriarchal attitudes on the part of the father, sexually restrictive family attitudes, a poor mother- child relationship and lack of social contact on the part of the child (Kearney, C. A., 2006). Some of the characteristics did apply to Joline 's
References: • Kearney, C. A. (2006). Casebook in Child Behavior Disorders (4 Ed.). Belmont: CA: Thomson Wadsworth • Brunet A, Akerib V, Birmes P (2007). "Don 't throw out the baby with the bathwater (PTSD is not overdiagnosed)" (PDF). Can J Psychiatry 52 • Constance Holden (2008-03-18). "Seeds of PTSD Planted in Childhood". Science NOW Daily News.