Want to regain control of your health after sexual abuse?
Survival is possible. Recovery takes time, the right support, and a path forward. Sexual abuse trauma can feel like it’s taken over your life…
But here’s the good news:
Hope and healing are real. Survivors improve every single day when they follow the right steps. And what’s better: those steps are backed by proven science that we know actually work.
In this guide, you’re going to discover the exact health-centered recovery methods that work for survivors. We’re talking mental health treatment, physical health, and more. This is your roadmap to healing.
Let’s dive in.
What you’re going to discover:
- How Sexual Abuse Affects Your Health
- Mental Health Treatment for Recovery
- Physical Health Considerations
- Building Your Support System
- Long-Term Wellness Planning
How Sexual Abuse Affects Your Health
Sexual abuse doesn’t just affect your mind.
It affects your entire body. The physical and mental trauma can manifest in numerous health issues that can appear immediately…Or even years later.
According to statistics from Charlie Health, as many as 80% of teenage sexual assault survivors developed a mental health disorder after their experience. This includes depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Yikes.
But the more you understand the impacts of abuse, the more equipped you are to begin healing. Survivors who know what to expect from trauma are able to seek out the right kind of help.
Common health effects include:
- Depression and anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sleep issues and nightmares
- Chronic pain conditions
- Eating disorders
Working with trauma professionals is key. Places like Kayla’s Survivors of Los Angeles not only connect survivors of sexual abuse to legal resources but to health support as well. When you have legal advocates that work with trauma professionals to meet your needs, you are addressing multiple challenges all at once.
Healing starts with acknowledging the impact. From there, you build.
Mental Health Treatment for Recovery
Mental health treatment is the foundation of recovery.
If this is neglected, it’s hard for other aspects of healing to even take place. The good news is, a variety of evidence-based therapy modalities have been shown to be effective at helping survivors recover.
Let’s talk about the most effective treatments:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help survivors recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Survivors who have been through abuse often have a lot of shame and guilt. CBT can help survivors replace negative thinking with more positive, healthy thoughts.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy creates a safe environment for survivors to work through traumatic memories without becoming re-traumatized. Therapists trained in trauma use specific techniques to help clients process past abuse at a pace they can handle.
The ultimate goal of trauma-focused therapy is to help the memories no longer have power over you.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of treatment that uses bilateral stimulation (moving your eyes from side to side) while a client is processing traumatic memories. The goal is to allow the brain to process the trauma in a different way over time.
EMDR has been shown to help with flashbacks, nightmares, and other PTSD symptoms. It’s one of the most researched treatments for trauma.
The takeaway?
It matters who you see for treatment. Not all mental health professionals are created equal. Look for a therapist that specializes in sexual trauma. Make sure they have experience working with this specific type of abuse.
Physical Health Considerations
The body doesn’t forget.
Trauma from sexual abuse can also show up in physical symptoms. Chronic pain, muscle tension, and other unexplained medical issues are common among survivors.
This is why it’s just as important to take care of your physical health as your mental health.
A few important considerations include:
- Regular medical checkups and care with a doctor who understands trauma can help. You can find trauma-informed healthcare professionals in your local area through a simple internet search.
When you do go for your checkup, make sure to be honest with your doctor about your history so they can take it into account.
- Sleep hygiene is important for everyone, but it’s even more crucial for survivors of trauma. Trauma often impacts a person’s sleeping patterns, so building a regular bedtime routine is important.
Body health is an important step in recovery.
- Regular exercise and activity are always recommended for survivors. Physical activity releases endorphins and helps reduce the stress hormones in your body.
Simple, gentle movement like taking a walk or doing yoga will help.
- Eating regular, well-balanced meals is also key to physical wellness during trauma recovery. Regular nutrition supports brain function and mood regulation.
Trauma can impact appetite, so this may require special effort.
One often-missed consideration is the link between stress and chronic illness. Survivors of sexual abuse and other forms of trauma have increased rates of health conditions throughout their lives. Taking care of your health now can help prevent future problems.
Building Your Support System
No survivor should go at it alone.
Support from others is a critical piece of the healing process. Social support and healthy connections have been shown to help survivors recover more quickly.
But not all support is equal…
Here’s what to look for in a healthy support network:
- Professional support, such as therapists, counselors, and support groups facilitated by trained professionals offer a solid, structured base.
- Trusted friends and family are important. People who you can call and who will listen without judgment make a big difference in recovery.
It’s important to be selective about who you confide in, but that close support can make all the difference.
- Survivor communities are also incredibly valuable. Connecting with other people with similar experiences reduces isolation and builds a sense of community.
Survivors can gain strength from others who have been through the same thing.
Caution:
Some people may not respond well to you sharing your story. You may get pushback, judgement, or other negative reactions. This type of feedback can actually set back recovery. It’s critical to have professional support systems in place before you reach out to your non-professional supports.
Survivor communities are a great example of this. Hearing other people share their experiences can help survivors feel less alone in their healing.
Long-Term Wellness Planning
Survivors never reach the point where recovery stops.
You’ll never cross the finish line. But those that plan for their long-term wellness and healing maintain their progress longer than those that don’t.
Your wellness plan should include:
- Regular therapy appointments (even after you have finished therapy)
- Continuing with self-care practices
- Crisis management strategies
- Boundaries in relationships to protect your health
- Personal growth goals
The key with this type of planning is to commit to your own self-care moving forward. Think of recovery like a workout routine.
You don’t just work out one day and become fit. You have to stick with it in the long-term.
Setting the right expectations is important, too.
Healing is not linear. Survivors will have setbacks and bad days. That doesn’t mean they’ve failed. In fact, that’s just part of the healing process.
We’re talking progress over perfection. It’s the small steps that matter. When you focus on taking those small steps each day, over time they add up to big results.
Bringing It All Together
Sexual abuse and trauma take a real toll on a person’s health.
But survivors can and do heal. There’s hope.
Start with getting professional mental health treatment. Tackle your physical health, too. Build up a strong support system and surround yourself with positive people. Have a long-term plan for maintaining wellness in place.
To recap:
- Know how abuse impacts your health
- Get science-backed mental health treatment
- Don’t forget your physical health
- Build a good support system
- Plan for the long-term
The journey will be long. But every step is progress. Survivors who commit to prioritizing their health truly see change.
You deserve to heal. You will, with the right tools and support.
