Incest revisited: delayed post-traumatic stress disorder in mothers following the sexual abuse of their children.

The case histories of four women who developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder following the disclosure of the sexual abuse of their daughters are presented. These individuals also exhibited comorbid symptoms of depression and personality disorders. Awareness of the sexual abuse of their daughters catalyzed a reliving of their own childhood victimization. The psychodynamics operating in these cases, as well as treatment strategies are also presented. A brief follow-up of three of the four cases is included.