Trauma-Informed Care for Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)
According to Bessel Van Der Kolk , Clinician, researcher, professor of psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine, and founder of the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute “Traumatization occurs when both internal and external resources are inadequate to cope with external threat.” (1989, p.393).
Deborah Ottenheimer, MD, FACOG
Director, Women's Holistic Health Initiative, Harlem United
FGM/C affects the mental wellbeing of women and it can lead to lifelong psychological consequences. FGM/C is considered to be one of the leading causes of Post-Traumatic Stree Disorder (PTSD) among survivors and classified as a “psychological trauma” within the DSM (Berg et al., 2010).
Survivors of FGM/C present with symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks and nightmares, as well as depressive symptoms such as guilt, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and anxiety (WHO, 2019).
In addition, infection of the wound, abscesses, ulcers, delayed healing, septicemia, tetanus, pelvic pain, gangrene, painful urination, keloids, difficult childbirth, painful menstruation, and sexual dysfunction have been reported among women who have been subjected to the practice (WHO, 2019).