once is too many!
The statistics of the trauma of sexual abuse and violence against children and women are astounding by any measure.
- One in six women (roughly 17% of the female population) has experienced rape or attempted rape at some point in their lives.
- Women who have experienced sexual or physical abuse as a child are up to four times more likely to experience depression as an adult.
- It is reported that 50% of women who seek mental health care have experienced sexual or physical abuse or both.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse, and anxiety are the most common forms of mental health disorders experienced by sexual and physical abuse victims.
- Abuse survivors often experience feelings of shame, isolation, shock, confusion, and guilt.
the emotional toll – it’s not what’s wrong with you, but what happened to you!
Survivors of sexual or physical abuse carry their experiences with them for their entire lives. The mental health challenges that stem from abuse can be managed with treatment, so it is essential to understand what you may be feeling.
- Depression: Loss of control of autonomy can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and loss of self-worth.
- Anxiety: Living in fear of another attack and being alone or alone with the abuser are common anxiety triggers. Racing or recurring thoughts of the abuse can lead to panic attacks. Difficulty focusing, irritability, fatigue, and unexplained pains can also be symptoms of anxiety.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Experiencing intense memories of the abuse, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts, are typical symptoms of PTSD. Avoiding reminders of the abuse, startling easily, and having negative thoughts are also common.
- Substance Abuse: The excessive use of drugs or alcohol is common among childhood abuse survivors. Drugs and alcohol help numb the pain and are repeatedly used as a coping mechanism to mask the emotional pain.
- Physical Symptoms: High blood pressure, body aches, fatigue, headaches, and difficulty sleeping can often be signs of your body’s reaction to abuse.
A traumatic event that may have lasted just a few seconds can have an impact that can last a lifetime. Not only did something happen to you, something was taken from you, and the effects of that should never be minimized or taken likely.
You deserve to lead your own life on your terms, and the first step is often admitting to yourself you need help and then being honest with your healthcare provider about the abuse. Trauma-informed healthcare providers can help you find the beginning, so you can start to heal.
