A sexual assault It is one of the most bitter experiences a person can suffer. Although it can be expressed with more or less violence, it is a very serious attack on privacy, which endangers physical and psychological integrity.
The impact can cause terrible psychological consequences. There is a trauma derived from the experience that causes a great diversity of symptoms and other derived psychological disorders. It affects the emotional state of the victim, who may want to hide what happened and even feel guilty, so psychological help is recommended to overcome the problem.
What are the main consequences of sexual assault?
After an experience of this type, it is common to develop one with its classic symptoms:
- Recurrent images of the traumatic event.
- Alertness, concentration problems, irritability.
- Avoidance of stimuli that may remind of the traumatic experience.
- Damaged mood,…
Over time, other types of symptoms or disorders may appear. For example:
- Avoidance of physical contact
- Fear of authority
- Avoidance of intimate situations
- Self-blame
- Shame
- Low self-esteem
- Sexual behavior disorders
- Addictions, alcohol and other substance abuse
- Suicidal ideation
- In the case of children, school failure, enuresis or encopresis, nightmares and night terrors, self-harm, communication problems, sadness and depression, insecurity, withdrawal…
Most relevant aspects of sexual assault treatment
To recover from such an episode, it is advisable to share it with a mental health specialist.
Many victims postpone professional help for too long, due to a denial of the experience, shame or feelings of guilt about what happened. It is a mistake, the faster the intervention there will be the more possibilities of improvement.
Symptoms caused by trauma can be addressed with different types of therapy. A psychologist can help you understand your feelings and manage them in a healthy way. It will provide you with the tools you need to manage pain and anxiety. Always with empathy and respect, so you can free yourself and move on with your life.
In general terms, from a more classic point of view, different alternatives are proposed, which can range from trauma-based intervention, to cognitive restructuring (focused on changing emotions, thoughts or negative thinking patterns) and skills training. coping; to psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis, etc.
A more current model is the method of choice for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and which is explicitly indicated for cases of sexual abuse.
In the same case we find (Synchronization of Cerebral Hemispheres).
Another intervention modality that has shown effectiveness in cases of post-traumatic stress is (ACT).
All of these formulas should always go in combination with relaxation techniques aimed at reducing stress, etc., which allow you to focus on the present and discard traumatic memories.
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