Adults with a history of sexual abuse will often present secondary symptoms before the abuse is uncovered. It is important that these symptoms be recognized as a possible reaction to something greater than the condition itself. Often times these adults will convince themselves that they are missing something that holds the key to their future. They feel that fate has already dealt them a losing hand and that they are powerless to change it. Some of the behaviors and symptoms exhibited by survivors of childhood sexual abuse are:
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Trouble sleeping/ or excessive sleeping
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Nightmares
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Discomfort around children that are the same age as when the child was themselves abused
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Panic and/or anxiety attacks
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Sexual Promiscuity
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Sexual acting out
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Sexual problems or disinterest in sex
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Discomfort with people that are the same gender as their abuser
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Lack of memory of being a child or missing large blocks of their childhood
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A hunch or intuition that sexual abuse occurred
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A pervasive feeling of powerlessness
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Suicide attempts or strong suicidal wishes
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Depression
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Drug/Alcohol addiction
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Self Hatred
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Self Mutilation
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Repeated victimization such as rape or domestic violence
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Unexplained physical or emotional numbness
- Lack of trust
- Shame
- People pleasing/rescuing at an early age
- Excessive need to control
- Obsessive/compulsive behavior patterns
- Low self-esteem/needy
- Weak boundaries
- Unhealthy choices in members of the opposite sex
- Neurotic tendencies
- Eating disorders
- Chronic illness
- Manic-depressive behavior (extreme emotions)
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Recognize the symptoms
