To every woman and man that has had some sense of sexual trauma throughout their lives, no one thing, you are valued and you are loved. Sexual trauma can be hard to register and digest into the brain. It can affect you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually in large ways that in some cases you yourself might not even understand or realize. As someone who’s struggled with sexual trauma for many years, know that you are not alone is this battle or fight and that slowly the grass does get greener on the other side.
How does sexual trauma affect you mentally and emotionally?
Sexual trauma can affect you mentally in a lot of ways by causing PTSD, depression, insomnia, anxiety, anger issues, and suicidal ideation to name just a few. When this takes place, these common mental illnesses are not easy to get rid of and sometimes are hard to control when you’re in the heart of it all.
How does sexual trauma affect you physically?
Physically you can be affected by trauma in a lot of ways by causing imprints on the body where you can remember the pain or discomfort you once felt during the ordeal and it can also affect you mentally and emotionally by simultaneously triggering symptoms of PTSD as well.
How does sexual trauma affect you spiritually?
Spiritually sexual trauma can affect you greatly by putting holes in your aura, it can affect your belief systems especially if you feel like God or whoever you believe in did nothing to help you, making you feel more alone and less at peace. It can also affect your sense of being and belonging, making you question if you really belong and or God’s trust.
How do I begin the process of healing?
To begin healing from sexual trauma there is no one size fits all. Some people might need various tools in order to heal while some might only need a few but the best way to tell and in some cases the hardest part to knowing what you need is listening to your body and what you feel is right for you. Some of the most helpful tools can also be the simplest but can still require a lot and a lot of you. A few ways to start your healing journey can be counseling and psychiatrists, having and creating a support system, for those with depression exercise and long walks, and for people with anxiety deep breathing techniques or meditation are great ways to carry you across your journey.
For those interested in a more holistic approach, reiki healing, mindfulness techniques, acupuncture, binaural beats, incorporate aromatherapy, yoga, art therapy, and somatic experiencing to help you heal mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically are also wonderful ways to progress your healing journey forward.
Healing can take a few years to even decades for you and your body to come around and know that it is safe. There definitely is not a time limit on when you heal, how you heal, and how long that healing process can take. And for those that have sadly been through these traumatic experiences, I hope you find the peace and love that you deserve.
Know You Are Loved!
Kaymarie 