Psychotherapy improved the sleep quality in a patient who was a victim of child sexual abuse: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) often experience symptoms such as recurrent nightmares, which affect their adult life.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of psychotherapy on the quality of life and sleep in a female patient with a previous history of CSA.

METHODS: The patient was climacteric (menopausal transition) and treated in an outpatient clinic. She underwent 40 sessions of psychotherapy and was evaluated before and after the sessions using questionnaires and polysomnography (PSG).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements were taken using the following: Kupperman Index (KI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, and PSG. Reports of dream content were also evaluated during the study.

RESULTS: After psychotherapeutic intervention, the frequency of nightmares and their attendant suffering decreased. Additionally, the context of the nightmares changed, and a decrease was noted in the KI, BAI, and BDI parameters. The PSG indicated an increase in rapid eye movement sleep.

CONCLUSION: Psychotherapeutic intervention combined with zolpidem and fluoxetine treatment contributed to a resignification of the dreams of a patient with a history of CSA. The treatment also improved the quality of her dreams and her quality of life.