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Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

I was viciously sexually abused by a so-called friend in middle school. I am wondering if that could have anything to do with why I am the way I am now? Anyone else has mid-adolescent trauma that shaped their adult growth period?

7 replies

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In response to: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

So sorry to read of the abuse you endured @Former-Member. I suffered childhood abuse and it does effect one mentally. My daughter was sexually abused at 15 and her mental health declined very seriously - she has never been the same unfortunately. When she was admitted into our local psych hospital here after an attempt a year ago, the doctors and nurses both told me that most of their patients were there as a result of sexual abuse. So it is possible that your present illness could be related to what you went through. x

In response to: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

I'm sorry that you went through such a traumatic experience @Former-Member I also experienced trauma of a different kind in my mid-teens and it shaped my life. In the last 5 years I have worked through some of it with my psychologist. Something I read recently about grief, which I can apply to my trauma, was that you don't get over it, rather it becomes a smaller proportion of your life as a whole as you grow. Having said that, there are times when it still engulfs me and I have to work very hard to remain in the present. I think trauma and grief are bound together.

In response to: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

So sorry @Former-Member that you went through such a traumatic event at such a young age.

It very definitely would have a lot to do with why you are the way you are now. You were at an age of development and it would have had a major impact on your life.

Mind you, any sexual abuse can have an ongoing affect on us, no matter at what age it occurs. I was an adult when I was sexually assaulted. The assault was by someone I knew and trusted, also a friend. Or at least I thought he was. There are so many emotions involved.

Abuse by someone we know and trust has a far greater impact on our psyche than a random act from someone we do not know.

I'm really glad that you are able to talk about this, as I feel sure it will help you to work your way through the many emotions involved.

Sherry

In response to: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Hugs and love to you @Former-Member ❤️Xxoo
@Former-Member
Hi I'm sorry to read you were abused as a child. I too was sexually abused as a child by three different guys from age 9-12.
I totally agree with what Sherry wrote above.
Sending you love and best wishes Xxoo

In response to: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Hugs @Former-Member @frog
Feel for both of you.
Love and hugs
BB Xxoo

In response to: Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

I can relate to all the above posts - especially what @frog stated about trauma and grief being bound. I have personally experienced that quite intensely In my life - effected more deeply for the reason @Former-Member stated -because the offenders where people I knew, love and trusted. Horrific.

In response to: Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Re: Trigger Warning! The Heart of Darkness

Exactly, the worst part might actually be the fact that I trusted the boy who abused me.

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