Perhaps one of the most unspeakable experiences that one could ever go through is being raped. It’s a horrifying mix of violence and utter disrespect of one’s own privacy and dignity, and may even accompany permanent effects like contracting sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and even facing the possibility of death.
As a rape victim, you might have the following symptoms of molesting trauma –
- Depression
- Hard time to sleep well
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Negative thinking
- Diffculty in concentrating
- Emotional outbursts
- Anxiety
- Thinking of that moment over and over
What’s even worse is that the victim, as the sole witness to the crime, might even be forced to recount the traumatic exploit in order to testify in court. As a rape survivor, you may fell all these symptoms but there is a world beyond. It’s very much essential for you to recover from it and here are the 6 important things to keep in account while recovering from sexual assault.
Recover From Rape
It’s no wonder that recovering from such a horrid ordeal takes so much time and patience – there are even those who may never recover from the experience at all. It’s important that you know how to deal with this experience should it happen. What you know could spell the difference in helping yourself or your friend cope with the trauma.
Let it Out
One thing that you need to remember is that denial should not be an option. You have to be open to the fact that you are hurt and you need to feel all the grief. Reminding your own self that everything is fine will only bottle up these emotions and make the suffering last longer.
Be angry, sad, and feel guilty or cry if you have to. You need to let it all out. That’s the first stage to moving on – going through it.
Back to School Day Friendship
Right now you need friends. Look to someone you can trust and confide in him or her. If you don’t feel like speaking to your loved ones, then go to a counselor or some other adviser.
You need someone to talk to in order to further vent out your emotions, because even if you’ve already cried about the matter, you still need to wrap up what you think and how you feel about the whole ordeal. And friends can share your feelings, make you think positive and bring your childishness back.
Believe in YourSelf
And while you’re doing all this in the outside, don’t forget to reassure yourself that you can go through this.
Stay positive even when all seems really bad at this time. Do something you love, go on a vacation or some other activity that will make you feel good about yourself. After you’ve let all the hurt out, start bringing some love in!
Meditation
Meditate and think about the present and the future. First, imagine how much you’ve improved since that horrible twist of fat. Remind yourself that you are still alive, and you’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Think about your plans and go on with achieving them.
Professional Help
Finally, don’t underestimate the potential of getting professional help. Institutions that provide rehabilitation for rape victims are well known for systematically fixing situations like these. As much as your friends or family members care, they do always have all the expertise to read between the lines of your emotions. There are many professionals in your community that you can go to – they will be more than happy to help.
Many of rape survivors feel to avoid men altogether. I know how hard it is but avoid men come closer to you. Finally as a reader, I would like your tips on what can heal better while going through this stage of life. I would be happy to include in this article and share with other readers.