Unfortunately, victims of sexual abuse have been known to turn to alcohol or drug abuse to try to cope with these symptoms. They wonder what they could have done differently to stop the abuse from happening, or they blame themselves, convinced that something they wore, said or did made them deserve what happened to them.
Feelings of Shame and Guilt: It’s common for sexual assault victims to replay their abuse in their minds, over and over again.This anxiety can lead to panic attacks and serious anxiety disorders. They struggle to go out into public places, fearing their attacker will find them or that they’ll be in danger. Anxiety: Due to the above changes in the brain, victims of sexual abuse are constantly fearful and worried.Victims who are struggling with depression may experience additional symptoms like weight loss or gain, agitation, increased crying and a loss of interest in things they once enjoyed. Depression: Sexual trauma can trigger persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.People suffering from PTSD also tend to experience panic attacks and distress when they hear, see or smell something that triggers memories of the events. Symptoms oftentimes include flashbacks, nightmares and aversion to places or people that serve as reminders of the trauma. PTSD: PTSD can occur after any traumatic experience, including sexual abuse.Victims of sexual assault oftentimes experience the following: If you’ve suffered from sexual abuse, have you feared leaving home, experienced flashbacks or struggled with uncontrollable mood swings? These are all symptoms from the neurobiological changes that occur from sexual trauma. What are the Effects of Brain Changes Caused by Sexual Abuse? This can lead to decreased sexual sensation and desire and even chronic pain in the areas of the body that were involved with the abuse. In a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers found that sexual abuse changes the brain’s somatosensory cortex, the area of the brain responsible for creating sensations and perceptions from input from the body. There is also research that suggests that sexual trauma can impact the brain’s ability to recognize and feel sensations. Stress hormones from the sympathetic nervous system kill cells in the hippocampus, weakening its ability to consolidate memories and recognize that the traumatic experience occurred in the past and is no longer a threat. The Hippocampus – Opposite from the amygdala, the hippocampus actually becomes less active after a traumatic experience.It associates your traumatic experience with specific emotions and falsely identifies seemingly harmless situations or individuals as threats. The Amygdala – After trauma from sexual abuse, the amygdala, an almond-shaped mass deep within the brain, becomes overstimulated.The brain also undergoes changes in two key parts of the brain: the amygdala and the hippocampus: In cases of traumatic sexual abuse, though, the sympathetic nervous system continues to release stress hormones, fatiguing the body and mind. In less extreme circumstances after a stressful or threatening situation, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over to reduce stress hormones and bring your brain back into equilibrium. These changes start with the continued activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
During sexual assault, your mind and body are in survival mode, trying to get through the event and process later.īut it’s the “after” part where your brain undergoes biological changes similar to that of a combat fighter or first responder struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How Does the Brain Change from Sexual Trauma?ĭuring the traumatic experience, your sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones throughout your brain, preparing to fight, flee or freeze. You’re strong enough to heal and not let the trauma define you. This is all due to the way the trauma you experienced changed your brain.īut this doesn’t have to be your story. Your attacker took away your sense of safety, your self-worth and your ability to create and maintain healthy relationships. It’s painful, menacing and heartbreaking. And rape isn’t just committed by complete strangers in many cases, the victim knows their attacker. Rape isn’t about what the victim was wearing at the time or how they were behaving sexual assault is always about power and control. Rape doesn’t always occur in a dark, cold alley it can happen in bedrooms, at a party or in a deserted conference room in an office building. Sexual assault is much more than the stereotypical scenarios depicted in movies or on TV.
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