Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse
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Many children do not talk about what happens to them at home until they
are adults. There are varying reasons for this, usually threats of harm by
the abuser to either the child or a family member. When the problem is
physical abuse the child either does not know it is not normal, or knows
that if they talk there will be more/worse abuse. If it is sexual abuse the
child may not even know it is wrong until it has been going on for several
years, at other times the child has been threatened with harm, made to
believe they wanted the sexual touching, or a close family member has
been threatened with either harm or death. Emotional abuse is seldom
recognized by the victim during childhood, it usually takes a third party to
see it happening in a child's life, or to look back on an adult's history and
see childhood emotional abuse.
This page is for Adult Women who are wondering why they are "so
different", why they are "so messed up" emotionally. Men will probably get
some understanding from these pages, but the information contained here
is specifically for women.
are adults. There are varying reasons for this, usually threats of harm by
the abuser to either the child or a family member. When the problem is
physical abuse the child either does not know it is not normal, or knows
that if they talk there will be more/worse abuse. If it is sexual abuse the
child may not even know it is wrong until it has been going on for several
years, at other times the child has been threatened with harm, made to
believe they wanted the sexual touching, or a close family member has
been threatened with either harm or death. Emotional abuse is seldom
recognized by the victim during childhood, it usually takes a third party to
see it happening in a child's life, or to look back on an adult's history and
see childhood emotional abuse.
This page is for Adult Women who are wondering why they are "so
different", why they are "so messed up" emotionally. Men will probably get
some understanding from these pages, but the information contained here
is specifically for women.
Physical Reactions: difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, heart pounding, racing thoughts,
tense muscles, and cold sweats. These symptoms can be part of "panic attacks" or "anxiety
attacks." They are commonly seen during a "fight or flight" response to a traumatic situation,
or during a flashback to a traumatic event.
Psychological reactions: dissociation - where the mind seems to leave the body, "loosing
time," numbing, denial.
tense muscles, and cold sweats. These symptoms can be part of "panic attacks" or "anxiety
attacks." They are commonly seen during a "fight or flight" response to a traumatic situation,
or during a flashback to a traumatic event.
Psychological reactions: dissociation - where the mind seems to leave the body, "loosing
time," numbing, denial.
What is Trauma? Trauma is a normal response to abnormal situations in a person's life.
Emotional, Physical, and Sexual abuse are abnormal situations that occur in a person's life.
There are also traumas that occur in nature - earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions,
hurricanes, tornadoes, forest/grass fires, etc. There are man made traumas such as vehicle
accidents, train/airplane crashes, bombings/explosions, war, torture, and the above
mentioned abuses. Women, more than men, are at greater risk for emotional, physical, and
sexual abuse. Following are some responses women often have.
Emotional, Physical, and Sexual abuse are abnormal situations that occur in a person's life.
There are also traumas that occur in nature - earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions,
hurricanes, tornadoes, forest/grass fires, etc. There are man made traumas such as vehicle
accidents, train/airplane crashes, bombings/explosions, war, torture, and the above
mentioned abuses. Women, more than men, are at greater risk for emotional, physical, and
sexual abuse. Following are some responses women often have.
Symptoms that can show up immediately following a traumatic event: sleep
problems, nightmares, severe emotional responses or jumpiness to sudden noises or
movements; hyperactivity, restlessness, extreme vigilance or alertness to danger, sudden or
abrupt mood swings (similar to PMS), feeling as if you are going crazy, flashbacks,
sensitivity to sound, light, smell, taste, touch, fear of losing control, desire to use alcohol or
drugs to "calm down" or "numb" your emotions.
Symptoms that may develop later: panic attacks, anxiety, phobias; mental blankness or
being "spacey;" avoidance behaviors, an attraction to dangerous situations - taking risks;
frequent anger or crying; extreme increase or decrease in sexual activity; forgetfulness;
problems nurturing, loving, or bonding with other individuals; fear of dying or a shortened
life; self-harming behaviors; cravings (chemicals, foods, behaviors).
Symptoms that may take even longer to develop: low energy or fatigue; physical
health problems (depleted immune system, neck and back problems, asthma, digestive
distress, severe PMS symptoms, hormone imbalances); eating disorders, reduced or
diminished emotional responses; commitment issues; depression, feeling detached or
isolated or the desire to be so; diminished ability for decision making, planning, and carrying
out decisions or plans.
Note: often the above mentioned physical symptoms cannot be explained through medical
examinations and causes, so don't be offended if your medical doctor sends you to a
therapist for help - there is usually a good reason for it, especially since a majority of
common medical problems are made worse by emotional stress/distress.
problems, nightmares, severe emotional responses or jumpiness to sudden noises or
movements; hyperactivity, restlessness, extreme vigilance or alertness to danger, sudden or
abrupt mood swings (similar to PMS), feeling as if you are going crazy, flashbacks,
sensitivity to sound, light, smell, taste, touch, fear of losing control, desire to use alcohol or
drugs to "calm down" or "numb" your emotions.
Symptoms that may develop later: panic attacks, anxiety, phobias; mental blankness or
being "spacey;" avoidance behaviors, an attraction to dangerous situations - taking risks;
frequent anger or crying; extreme increase or decrease in sexual activity; forgetfulness;
problems nurturing, loving, or bonding with other individuals; fear of dying or a shortened
life; self-harming behaviors; cravings (chemicals, foods, behaviors).
Symptoms that may take even longer to develop: low energy or fatigue; physical
health problems (depleted immune system, neck and back problems, asthma, digestive
distress, severe PMS symptoms, hormone imbalances); eating disorders, reduced or
diminished emotional responses; commitment issues; depression, feeling detached or
isolated or the desire to be so; diminished ability for decision making, planning, and carrying
out decisions or plans.
Note: often the above mentioned physical symptoms cannot be explained through medical
examinations and causes, so don't be offended if your medical doctor sends you to a
therapist for help - there is usually a good reason for it, especially since a majority of
common medical problems are made worse by emotional stress/distress.