The experiences we have throughout life leave us memories that last over time. Regardless of whether we consider the moments we have experienced good or bad, the truth is that the effect they have on us will depend on how we have gone through them. In general terms, there are several difficult situations linked to abuse that people who live in complex family environments have to go through.
The consequences that sexual abuse has, both on the body and on the personality, impact our emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Having adequate resources when facing sexual trauma can help us cope with situations in a more pleasant way. Do you want to know more about this? In this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about how to overcome sexual trauma.
What are sexual traumas?
When we talk about sexual trauma, we refer to very unpleasant situations that involve sexual abuse experienced by a person in the past. In other words, sexual trauma consists of events that leave mental memories in the person who has suffered them.
On the other hand, it may also happen that certain bodily manifestations appear as a result of sexual traumas that occurred in childhood.
Causes of sexual trauma
Being able to determine the origin of sexual trauma is crucial in order to establish adequate treatment for this type of problem. Next, we will see the most frequent causes that affect sexual trauma:
sexual abuse
In general, sexual abuse is carried out by an adult on a boy or girl during their childhood, although it can also occur during adolescence and adulthood.
In other words, sexual abuse is a crime in which the abuser, without consent and with or without violence oo intimidation acts by violating the sexual freedom of another person. This situation involves the abuser touching the abused person’s genitals or any part of the body without consent, such as the breasts or butt.
It is also considered sexual abuse when the abuser shows or rubs his or her genitals against the victim or when he or she makes contact with him or her in the form of kisses or touching against his or her will.
Violations
As in sexual abuse, any unwanted sexual contact is considered rape. This act represents the excessive use of physical force and psychological abuse by the rapist, since it can pressuring through physical or emotional superiority to carry out penetration against the will of the person violated. It can be any type of forced penetration: vaginal, oral or anal.
If you want to know more about these concepts, check out our article.
Symptoms of sexual trauma
Sexual trauma leaves consequences for the person who has suffered such unpleasant situations in the past. To know how a person who has been sexually abused behaves, it is important to pay attention to the physical, emotional and behavioral manifestations presented by a person who has sexual trauma to think about possible alternatives to these events.
Next, we will describe the most important symptoms of sexual trauma:
- Distrust of the person towards himself and his environment.
- Shame.
- Fear of significant people in life.
- Changing mood.
- Deterioration of interpersonal relationships.
- Decrease in work and/or academic performance.
- Isolation from other people.
- Low self-esteem.
- .
- Difficulties in memory and concentration.
- Sleeping problems.
- Difficulties in sphincter control.
- Addictions.
Now that you know the characteristics of having suffered sexual abuse, we must consider that the presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily imply that the person has sexual trauma. For this reason, the diagnosis must be made by a mental health professional since he will be in charge of evaluating the patient’s characteristics taking into account their particularities.
We leave you this post about them in case you want to expand your knowledge on the subject.
Types of sexual trauma
Sexual traumas have different components that differentiate them from each other. Therefore, here we will see the types of sexual traumas in relation to its after-effects and consequences:
Sexual trauma linked to abuse
This type of sexual trauma leads to antisocial behavior, as well as victim blaming. In other words, this means that the abused person feels responsible for what happened. Likewise, in the case of children, situations of school failure may occur.
Sexual trauma linked to rape
The incidence of this type of sexual trauma occurs at the level of emotional and intimate relationships with other people. Because of this, it can happen that someone who is raped is reluctant to close contact with its environment.
In some cases, this also means the lack of memories linked to traumatic scenes resulting from the impact of the rape.
How to treat sexual trauma
Sexual traumas have consequences that can appear both in the body and in the person’s way of life. Therefore, it is essential to know the ways to treat sexual trauma that are available. In the following paragraphs, we will talk about this:
Psychological therapy
Therapy consists of a space for reflection that invites us to make changes in our personality with respect to situations that generate stress, anguish, anxiety and/or fear.
Both long-term and short-term therapies work on the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that give rise to the characteristic symptoms of sexual trauma. This type of approach provides tools to overcome complex situations and improve quality of life.
Psychiatric medication
In certain cases that present serious consequences that endanger life, one of the alternatives for the treatment of sexual trauma lies in the use of psychotropic drugs that reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
This occurs thanks to the fact that psychotropic drugs make modifications in the neural circuits associated with various emotions. However, the supply of this type of medication must be under clinical indication from a health professional.
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This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Echeburúa, E., De Corral, P. (2006). Emotional consequences in victims of childhood sexual abuse. Forensic Medicine Notebooks, 23 (3), 75-82.
- Rodríguez López, Y., Aguiar Gigato, BA, García Álvarez, I. (2012). Psychological consequences of child sexual abuse. Eureka Magazine, 9 (1), 1-10.