Aftereffects of Sexual Abuse
Many women/men seek treatment for various physical and emotional complaints. These complaints include but are not restricted to: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, low self-esteem, mood swings, anger, shame, guilt, sadness, eating disorders, drug/alcohol abuse, migraine headaches, arthritis, joint pain, chronic fatigue, lupus, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, asthma, etc.
The truth is: Every aspect of the verbal, physical or sexual abuse
survivor's physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, sexual and spiritual
self is compromised. Tragically, the majority of health care professionals
do not connect these complaints to the root cause...verbal, physical
or sexual abuse trauma, therefore true healing is seldom achieved.
The person learns to cope better and therefore feel better, however,
their legacy is still living a life of pain and suffering.
Overview
Many women/men come to therapy with various physical and emotional
complaints.
Physiological Aftereffects
of Rape
Rape includes both an emotional and physical trauma. It is not surprising
that many survivors of rape report psychological distress in situations
of sexual intimacy, as well as, feeling a physical distress.
Emotional Aftereffects of
Rape
The following are the feelings the majority of rape survivors experience.
Aftereffects of Sexual
Abuse/Incest Overview
The definition of sexual abuse and incest states that sexual abuse
and incest are more than sexual acts--they affect all aspects of the
survivor’s life.
Physical Aftereffects
of Sexual Abuse/Incest
The physical nature of sexual abuse seems clear, yet it is not. We
believe when we see the child's body injured or maimed from sexual
abuse, we can treat and account for the physical effects. This is tragically
a misconception of the physical aspects of sexual abuse aftereffects.
Mental Aftereffects of
Sexual Abuse/Incest
When the child's physical boundaries are violated, his or her mind
is also violated. The insidious nature of the mental abuse can be explained
by using the analogy of the reactions of a deer when its eyes are exposed
to the headlights of an oncoming car. The deer becomes so disoriented
by the blinking light that it jumps toward the car instead of away
from it-so it is with the child who has been sexually abused.
Emotional Aftereffects
of Sexual Abuse/Incest
The emotional aftereffects of sexual abuse and incest are very powerful.
These emotions are so powerful that a survivor is afraid to be aware
of them. These emotion include: Anger, rage, sadness, fear, guilt,
loneliness, shame and hurt.
Behavioral Aftereffects
of Sexual Abuse/Incest
The behavioral aftereffects of sexual abuse or incest are very subtle.
Men acting tough and aggressive and women acting weak and helpless
are classic examples.
Spiritual Aftereffects
of Sexual Abuse/Incest
The aftereffects to the sexual abuse victim's spirituality are profound,
extensive and pervasive. It is a soul injury.
Sexual Aftereffects of
Sexual Abuse/Incest
The aftereffects with respect to the survivor's sexuality are immediate.
Humans are sexual beings from the moment of birth. The sexual abuse
or incest survivor believes that their body does not belong to them.
Their body is the ground on which this insidious battle took place.
Relating Aftereffects
of Sexual Abuse/Incest
The development of one's sense of self is ongoing. It is a journey,
not a destination. Tragically, the sexual abuse or incest survivor's
journey has been inexplicably contaminated. At the core of any healthy
relationship is trust. The child's trust has often times been betrayed
before he or she has learned to walk or talk.
Aftereffects of Sexual
Abuse/Incest Summary
The legacy of every unhealed sexual abuse survivor includes diminished
self-worth, limited ability to trust, and the burden of a shameful
secret she or he cannot express.
