Symptoms

Common symptoms often traced to the lingering effects of childhood sexual abuse include:

Emotional reactions

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Flashbacks and nightmares
• Shame
• Guilt and self-blame
• Feelings of worthlessness and helplessness
• Chronic or uncontrollable anger and rage
• Withdrawal and isolation

Self-perception

• Bound by shame and self-blame – "It was my fault"
• Contaminated – "There's something wrong with me"
• Despair and hopelessness
• Lack of personal efficacy and sense of powerlessness

Physical effects

• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Respiratory distress
• Gynecological problems
• Immunological disturbances
• Chronic pain including migraine headaches
• Muscular tension
• Stress reactions

Sexual effects

• Sexual acting out in adolescence and early adulthood
• Questions of sexual orientation and preference
• Difficulties with sexual arousal, response and satisfaction
• Distancing or "numbing out" during sex
• Sex addiction

Relationships with others

• Pervasive mistrust of others
• Experiencing intimacy as entrapping, threatening or not satisfying
• Continuing conflicted relationships and roles with parents and siblings
• Lack of trust of own parenting skills
• High need for control in relationships

Contact our Clinical Coordinator, Amanda, for a free initial interview to determine what services may be most beneficial.

CONTACT AMANDA FRANKLIN
206.323.7131
AMANDA@ROANOKEPARKCOUNSELING.ORG