Surviving Sexual Assault: The Light On The Other Side
The unfortunate reality is that the majority of women (and a large percentage of men, too) will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. But we aren’t here to bombard you with more depressing statistics.
If you’ve experienced sexual trauma, or any other form of trauma, it’s likely that you have spent some time in “survival mode.” Trauma changes your brain, and therefore the way we relate to the world.
You might be living in survival mode if…
- You have trouble focusing more often than not, or have “brain fog” regularly
- You struggle to remember things that happen throughout the day, or you experience changes in your memory overall
- Your body and your mind are often fatigued
- You are emotionally reactive, becoming upset, snippy, or irritable
- You neglect your physical health or personal hygiene
- You act impulsively, spend excessively, or engage in activities you might not normally
Many survivors start to believe that living in this survival mode is their “new normal,” and that there is no way out. Some begin to forget what it was like to really enjoy life. If this is where you’re at, we are sending you love and light. Here are some resources for you.
The good news is that survival mode is certainly not a permanent state.
While the journey from surviving to “aliving” isn’t a walk in the park, there is a road map you can follow.
Dr. Elizabeth Joy knows what it’s like to experience sexual violence. As she shares in the video clip below, educating herself on trauma, sexual assault, and its repercussions allowed her to face her recovery head-on.
The Turning Point: How to Jumpstarts Healing
Your roadmap to enjoying life in ways you never thought possible.
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- How have you been coping with these symptoms? Sometimes our coping mechanisms can go bad, and we need to evaluate how we are furthering our emotional and physical pain through the ways in which we cope.
- Explore the feelings and thoughts associated with your trauma.
- Adjust your environment, build on your strengths, and create a self-care plan.
This journey is not meant to be traveled alone. It may be important to invite a professional or trusted community of support on your healing journey.
Want the detailed roadmap?
Check out Dr. Joy’s book, “You Survived…Now What?” Written to inspire, educate, and empower you to begin and complete the journey of restoration.