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Psychotherapy Can Help
Psychotherapy can help an individual recover from childhood sexual abuse through the examination of the past and the present. The form of abuse, the age it took place and whether one had emotional support will affect how one will be coping with the experience. The main objective of psychotherapy for childhood sexual abuse is to help the individual separate past events from the way the individual thinks about who they are, and their value in the world. The belief that "I am what happened to me," or "I caused or deserved it," is common and must be addressed continuously throughout the therapy.
Symptoms of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Feelings of extreme shame and self-blame are common. Often, the sexually abused person blocks out memory of the abuse. A survivor may remember all the details, but not the emotions, or sensations. Or, the survivor may have emotions and physical sensations, but is unable to connect them to any memory of the details.
Chronic depression is a common response to childhood sexual abuse. Individuals with a history of child sexual abuse are also more likely to develop anxiety disorders, problems with identity and post-traumatic stress disorder (a sense of re-experiencing a past trauma) among other symptoms.
The duration of treatment will vary from person to person, based on the age at which the abuse occurred, the frequency, and type of abuse suffered, the relationship a person had or has with the perpetrator(s), and the person's internal coping strategies for handling it. As the therapy progresses, the individual begins to act and feel more confident and secure. One will develop a greater sense of control, and learn how to identify and manage his or her emotions. Some of the key goals of psychotherapy are to help the person develop a positive body image, and a greater ability to love and experience love from others.
The effects of early sexual abuse last well into adulthood, affecting relationships, work, family, and life in general. Often individuals of childhood sexual abuse need to regain control over their lives. Research on the treatment for survivors of sexual abuse indicates that it is helpful for the survivor to move from "victim" to "survivor".
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Through compassionate therapy one can regain their life and rediscover who they are.
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