The trauma one goes through when they are abused as a child remains prevalent for a lifetime. Most of the survivors of sexual abuse suffer from severe mental illnesses. The trauma suffered remains with them, which hampers and interferes with their life. It is also seen that about 90% of the survivors suffer from dreading nightmares. here we tell you 7 ways to Cope If You Were Sexually Abused as a Child.
It is important for people who have suffered such trauma to recover from it.
Thus, below are Seven things you can do if you were sexually abused as a child:
It’s Not Your Fault:
Firstly, the most important thing to know and understand is, that it is not your fault. The mind keeps on rotating about what exactly happened and creates a tendency for self-blame. For Example, it might keep telling you, you shouldn’t have entered that room, or you should have done something at that point in time. But, there are situations which are not in our hands, and it is important to know that. The only person who is at fault is the perpetrator.
A Positive Diary:
Coping up with this trauma is difficult and it creates fear and anxiety within us. Hence, it is important to keep a positive diary with us. The definition of a positive diary is, that you keep writing small motivating notes in the diary and keep that diary with yourself. Whenever the thought of guilt, shame comes to your mind you glance at the diary. This way, you are motivating yourself and simultaneously coping up with your trauma. The world might seem a scary place, but if we look at the positives, then coping up becomes easier.
Talk to Someone:
All the thoughts and feelings inside us, eat us up. Hence, it is important to find a person who you trust, and who wouldn’t judge you. Talking about your feelings will help you cope with it. If all these years you have bottled up these feelings, talking about it will put you at ease. Also, it will lighten your heart and help you to have a better sleep.
Engage in Contemplative Practice:
To keep your body and mind in harmony and to feel control about your body, it is important to engage yourself in contemplative practices. These practices can include, yoga, tai-chi, meditation, prayer etc. But, doing these creates an insight and helps you realize your feelings and thoughts. Everyone’s spiritual finding is different. Hence it is important to find yours.
It’s OK to feel your Feelings:
Often more than not, the basic tendency for anyone is to numb their feelings after trauma. They resort to drinking, smoking or other drugs to get rid of the thoughts. But, using these modes to cope up your feelings makes it worse. The thoughts come back again, and it then leads to worsening the situation. Also, many people due to this fall prey to addiction. Emotions which you feel, are necessary because it also gives the hope that you can also feel happiness. It is important to remember, only after the darkest night comes the brightest day.
Don’t Self-Medicate:
Due to this traumatic experience, people often suffer from severe mental health issues. Their first tendency is to self-medicate. Hence, making the situation worse. Thus, it is not advisable to do self-medication. You should always take professional help before taking any medication. Thus, making the medication actually helping you rather than making the situatiion worse.
Seek Professional Help:
There is nothing to be guilty about or hide from. Seeking a mental health professional will help you cope up with the trauma. Most of the times, we believe that healing isn’t possible from such trauma. But, healing is possible even though it might take time. A mental health professional will help you sail through the journey and you will be able to recover from the trauma you have had suffered.
Hence, if you or someone you know has gone through the experience of childhood sexual abuse, and are facing different mental health problems because of this, then please visit a professional immediately.
