![]() If you have a repressed childhood memory, you may find yourself feeling triggered or having strong emotional reactions to people who remind you of previous negative experiences, family therapist Jordan Johnson, L.M.F.T., tells Bustle. You Have Strong Reactions To Certain People Read on for some signs you might be repressing memories or old wounds from the past, as well as what you can do about it. You can, for example, experience anxiety without having gone through something traumatizing as a kid. While many of the symptoms listed below are not exclusively signs of repressed childhood trauma in adults, they are commonly found in people who come to know they were in fact repressing memories. "It is very important to go to therapy to unlock the memories and likely trauma." ![]() "These unresolved memories can stifle your growth and development and lead to a 'stunted' adulthood in terms of self-esteem and personal identity," psychotherapist Bruce W. Though not all people who live with these conditions are survivors of abuse, it can help to know the signs you might be repressing negative childhood memories, so that you can seek support. People who have blocked out pain from their childhood may have anxiety or have a fear of abandonment - which can be particularly frustrating if they don't know why. U.S.If you endured a traumatic experience as a child, it's possible your brain may have repressed the negative memories, leading to surprising situational and emotional challenges in your adult life.National Institutes of Health-National Library of Medicine.National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information. ![]() Administration for Children and Families.Also, survivors may fluctuate between being highly symptomatic and relatively symptom-free. Responses can vary greatly within the seven categories. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The primary after-effects of childhood sexual abuse have been divided into seven distinct, but overlapping categories: Most, however, experience pervasive and deleterious consequences. Responses may be mitigated by such factors as inherent resiliency or supportive responses from individuals who are important to the victim.Įven without therapeutic intervention, some survivors maintain the outward appearance of being unaffected by their abuse. More extreme symptoms are associated with abuse onset at an early age, extended or frequent abuse, incest by a parent, or use of force. ![]() These mental health symptoms may be found alone or more often in tandem with physical and behavioral symptoms. It also has been suggested that chronic or traumatic stimulation (especially in the pelvic or abdominal region) heightens sensitivity, resulting in persistent pain such as abdominal and pelvic pain or other bowel symptoms.Īlthough responses to sexual abuse vary, there is remarkable consistency in mental health symptoms, especially depression and anxiety. For example, one study found that, after controlling for history of psychiatric disturbance, adult survivors had lowered thresholds for pain. In addition to the psychological distress that may increase the effect of survivors' symptoms, there is evidence that abuse may result in biophysical changes. Although some of these coping strategies may eventually lead to health problems, if symptoms are evaluated outside their original context, survivors may be misdiagnosed or mislabeled. These coping mechanisms are used for protection during the abuse or later to guard against feelings of overwhelming helplessness and terror. To appropriately treat and manage survivors of CSA, it is useful to understand that survivors' symptoms or behavioral symptoms resulting from childhood sexual abuse often represent coping strategies employed in response to abnormal, traumatic events. After-Effects of Child Sexual Abuse in AdultsĪlthough there is no single syndrome that is universally present in adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, there is an extensive body of research that documents adverse short- and long-term effects of such abuse.
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