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COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec 14, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Danish researchers say studies show prostitutes suffer high rates of post traumatic stress disorder because of regular threats of violence.
PTSD was first diagnosed in connection with soldiers returning from battle.
The Copenhagen Post reports prostitutes end up shell shocked because of rapes and beatings on a regular basis.
Psychologist Birgitte Lieberkind said threatening situations, flashbacks of past experiences -- even the act of selling one's body -- are stressful enough to cause PTSD.
Ask Elklit, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Aarhus, said the life of a prostitute is one full of violence which leads to PTSD.
Other studies show as many as two out of three prostitutes suffer from PTSD.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2005 by United Press International
