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How to Heal From Childhood Sexual Abuse
Thursday, March 12, 2009
InstructionsStep 1: Write in a journal so you can process your feelings of denial, confusion, anger and depression, and work through them by recognizing each intense emotion. Writing allows survivors to let out thoughts honestly, without worrying about another person's feelings, and is often a good release.Step 2: Build a network of supportive people, be it family members, close friends or a support group. Make sure you feel comfortable sharing your story with these people, and that you trust that they will be compassionate and trustworthy toward you. Often survivors feel a burden released once they have shared their stories, and the healing process can commence. Arrange for your support network to be in place before another crisis occurs.Step 3: Teach yourself the importance of taking care of yourself. You may have been depressed and not cared for a while, so now it is time to pick up the pieces and put your needs first. These needs may vary for survivors; some may crave nourishment from home-cooked meals, while others relish a hot bath or need more sleep on new satin sheets--whatever you need for you to feel taken care of.Step 4: Prepare a crisis list and keep it in a safe and accessible place, like your purse or wallet, in case a trauma should reoccur. You might list a friend's phone number, breathing techniques and your favorite safe spot.Step 5: Be patient with yourself since healing is a process and should not be rushed. We need to learn to love ourselves and celebrate our achievements, even the small ones, and to treat ourselves with the same respect we shower on other people. We may slowly learn to trust others again, as we are learning from the past and starting to look toward the future again.Step 6: Realize you were not to blame. Do not allow yourself to identify with the abuser, but understand the child was innocent and powerless, and you were not responsible for the abuse that occurred. Trust that you did nothing wrong.
Tips & Warnings- Your local crisis center or sexual assault crisis center can help you find supportive people.
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