Anyone who has experienced physical or sexual violence in their life knows the devastating affects it can have on your psychological well-being and physical self. Even after the sexual trauma has happened, the negative ramifications continue to live on. After your trauma, you may lose faith in humanity, therefore making it more difficult for you to trust people.
Healing from sexual trauma is a highly individualized experience, and there is no timeline put on healing. In order to journey ahead on this emotionally-taxing process, you need to practice time, patience, self-compassion, and locate the right resources, like a trauma therapist.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
About Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma is simply any unwanted sexual activity or behavior.
Different types of sexual assault include the following:
Sexual harassment
Molestation
Sexual coercion
Rape
Attempted rape
Marital rape
Statutory rape
Drug-faciliated sexual assault
Fondling or groping
Trauma affects each person differently since our reactions are dependent on certain individualistic factors, such as:
Your perception of the assault
Your support system
Any previous trauma(s) you may have experienced
Your access to professional therapy support
The severity of the trauma
After a sexual assault, it is normal to feel:
Guilty
Angry (Check out our blog “The Most Important Things You Need To Know About Anger Management”)
Sad (To find out if you are struggling with depression, take our “Depression Quiz”)
Shameful
Fearful
Numb
As a sexual assault survivor, you may have symptoms that parallel symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If this is the case for you, reading our blog “5 Healthy Ways to Cope with PTSD” may alleviate some of your symptoms. As a result of your trauma, you may even experience crippling anxiety and/or depression.
While it will be a difficult journey, it is 100% possible to recover from a sexual trauma.
The Aftermath of Sexual Assault
Every year in the United States, on average, there are 463,634 victims of rape and assault assault (including children, teenagers, and adults) according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
Sexual trauma occurs after the body goes through an immense amount of physical strain. When this strain occurs, the body releases cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. This hormone is in control of your response to harsh, dangerous environments.
When an occurrence of extreme violence happens, your cortisol spikes through the roof to hold off shock from the event.
The higher the cortisol, the more you are able to guard yourself against a violent occurrence. But, when cortisol rises, so does the body’s general stress levels. If you are constantly in this high-cortisol state, you may find that you are always in fight or flight mode.
The fight or flight response refers to our body’s physiological reaction to a perceived harmful event, attack, or any general threat to survival. Even when no triggers are present, you may be in a state of fight or flight. This can cause a cycle of toxic stress that wreaks havoc on your overall well-being. For support, check out our blog “Everything You Need To Know About Stress Management Therapy.”
Fight or flight is an evolutionary mechanism that gives you two choices: confront the threat and fight or run away from the threat and flee. While this mechanism is a great thing, activating it frequently can cause negative physical and mental effects.
Some consequences of being in a constant state of fight or flight include the following:
Physical health issues
Weakened immune system
Digestive issues
Cardiovascular issues
Emotional consequences
Burnout
Irritability
Mood swings
Behavioral changes
Unhealthy coping skills
Withdrawing from previously pleasurable activities
Not socializing with people anymore
Mental health affects
Sleep disturbances
Cognitive dysfunction
Symptoms of Sexual Trauma
Your sexual assault is a personal experience, thus the symptoms you experience will be unique. For some people, there may be little to no reaction to the violence they experienced. However, most people show visible symptoms of sexual trauma. There are many responses a sexual assault survivor may have towards their trauma, including psychological, emotional, and/or physical signs and symptoms.
1. Psychological Symptoms of Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma can negatively impact your mental functioning.
Some psychological symptoms of sexual trauma include:
Self-harm
Substance abuse (Read our blog “‘High Functioning Addict’: Spot the Signs and How to Get Help” for support)
Random emotional breakdowns
Hard time paying attention
2. Emotional Symptoms of Sexual Trauma
Your emotional reaction to your trauma is an acknowledgment of your trauma.
Some emotional reactions to trauma encompass the following:
Intrusive thoughts that recall aspects of the trauma (For help, check out our blog “6 Ways to Handle Intrusive Thoughts”)
Avoiding people, places, or things that may remind you of the trauma or trigger a memory
Emotional numbing (a form of dissociation) to avoid feeling certain feelings
3. Physical Symptoms of Sexual Trauma
Sexual assault survivors often experience hyperactivity after their trauma. In other words, your body remains in a continuous state of fear even without real triggers.
While in a hyperactive state, you may experience:
Headaches
Chest pain
Stomach difficulties
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty sleeping (Read our blog “How CBT Can Help With Your Insomnia”)
It also not uncommon for sexual assault survivors to experience a shift in their personality after experiencing this type of trauma. For example, withdrawing from family and friends following the assault can be a reaction to the sexual violence you faced.
The Long-Lasting Effects of Sexual Trauma
If your trauma is left untreated, you are at risk of experiencing long-lasting effects of the violence you experienced. From your health and well-being to professional opportunities, many aspects of your life can be affected.
Sexual trauma can impact your ability to function normally on a daily basis. You may notice that your performance at work or school takes a dip following sexual assault. This is due to the change in your concentration and motivation levels. Additionally, sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or nightmares, can wreak havoc on your typical daily schedule.
It is not uncommon for sexual assault survivors to experience mental health challenges. Symptoms of psychological harm can ensue if you were forced or manipulated into sexual activity or behavior. Sexual assault can add to the development of anxiety disorders or depression disorders. Feelings of constant worry, sadness, and even hopelessness can occur. After your assault, you may feel compelled to address all situations with the same extreme level of fear and care.
Sexual assault can also produce harmful behaviors, like self-harm or substance abuse. In extreme cases, sexual assault survivors turn to suicide. Sexual assault survivors are 10xs more likely to commit suicide compared to people who have not experienced sexual assault according to a study. Feeling suicidal? Help is only a phone call away at the free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988.
Assault also affects how you interact with other people socially. You may feel like you cannot trust other people, leading you to withdraw from social interactions which, in turn, makes you feel isolated.
Communication and emotional intimacy may become skewed in intimate relationships as well. You may avoid physical contact with other people or even avoid sex altogether.
Readjusting to your ‘normal’ life after experiencing sexual assault is hard as sexual assault survivors have difficulty in their personal relationships, going back to work or school, and figuring out their identity and sense of normalcy.
You may experience what is referred to as “sexual anxiety.” Sexual anxiety is any type of fear, worry, or anxiety related to sexual activity. Whether you were in a relationship when the sexual assault occurred or you are now ready to get back into the dating field, sexual anxiety is very real. For dating support, read our article “How to Cope with Dating Anxiety.”
The Link Between Sexual Assault and PTSD
The PTSD diagnosis is typically associated with a trauma response. A PTSD therapist will know what pattern of symptoms to look for to see if you are experiencing PTSD.
There are four main categories of PTSD symptoms:
Avoidance and numbing
Avoidance - Not visiting people, places, or engaging in activities that bring back memories of your traumatic event
Emotional numbing - Unable to experience positive emotions or any emotions at all
Intrusive thoughts
Nightmares - You may have disturbing dreams about your traumatic experience
Flashbacks - Re-experiencing the traumatic event or having vivid, saddening memories as if you were re-living the sexual assault
Arousal and reactivity
Irritability - Having angry outbursts or an enhanced sense of irritability
Sleep disturbances - Being restless, having disturbed sleep, difficulty staying asleep, and/or difficulty falling asleep
Hypervigilance - Being easily startled, constantly feeling on edge, or having an increased sense of awareness regarding potential threats
Negative alterations in your mood and thinking patterns
Hard time remembering details - Having a hard time remembering details of your sexual assault
Mood swings - Quick shifts in mood, feeling irritable, angry, and hopeless
Negative thoughts - Warped belief about yourself, blaming yourself or feeling guilty for the assault. Also having negative thoughts about other people
In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, your trauma therapist will look to see if you have been experiencing some or all of the above symptoms for one month or longer. These symptoms must also have a direct interference on your ability to function normally on a daily basis. The severity of the symptoms will vary person-to-person.
Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. Different people can respond to the same situation in different ways. Seeking professional help from a trauma therapist is a step in the right direction for healing.
How Can A Trauma Therapist Help Me Overcome My Sexual Trauma?
If you have made the brave decision to seek out therapy for sexual assault, we have highly-trained, fully-licensed professionals at Anchor Therapy who can help you feel like your best self again.
If your trauma involved sexual abuse, it is advised to seek the help of a medical professional as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to give you information and reassurance involving your physical health and wellness. They can also direct you to law enforcement officials so a proper investigation can occur if applicable.
After the medical and legal aspect of your sexual assault has been initiated, a trauma therapist can help address your emotional needs.
Different therapists use different therapeutic modalities to treat trauma. Overall, trauma therapy is a safe space for you to explore your emotions associated with the sexual abuse you experienced. You can openly discuss any challenging or negative thoughts you developed. Trauma counseling will give you the tools and skills you need to process and overcome your trauma. While what happened to you was significant, it does not have to define you or have power over you.
In PTSD counseling, your trauma counselor is there to help minimize the trauma-related symptoms you are experiencing, both in the amount of symptoms and the severity of symptoms. After PTSD therapy, you will feel empowered to take control over the traumatic event and your triggers.
A trauma counselor at Anchor Therapy can provide support by:
Validating your trauma
Providing empathy and compassion for your trauma
Establishing a connection of safety and trust between you two
Teaching you healthy coping strategies (e.g., meditation, working out, etc.)
Addressing feelings of shame and guilt
Exploring your emotions
Expressing your emotions
Providing strategies to rebuild relationships
Encouraging self-care (Check out our blog “The 8 Forms of Self-Care and How You Can Practice Them”)
Encouraging self-compassion
Using trauma-focused therapies (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy, and so on)
Healing from sexual trauma is a lengthy process filled with complex emotions. The frequency and intensity of the trauma you experienced will inform what type of treatment best suits your needs. Healing is a process that cannot be rushed but, luckily, you will have a trauma therapist who can work with you through each stage of healing.
While a trauma counselor will guide you in the right direction, you have to do the work at the end of the day. You have to be an active participant in PTSD counseling sessions for change to happen.
Practicing open and honest communication with your support team is an important part of your general recovery. Engaging in regular self-care practices can also help you regulate your mood.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager and Intake Coordinator at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark. In her roles, Victoria is committed to managing the office’s social media presence and prioritizing clients' needs.
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