I am an adult victim of sexual child abuse. Like many of you, I too have suffered heinous acts and violence at the hand of my perpetrator. My perpetrator happened to be my father; the one I trusted the most to protect me from harm. I spent most of my life unable to forgive and to heal. At age 67, I am now on a journey of healing and forgiveness. It has been a long and arduous journey, one in which I had to learn some very painful lessons to move forward and to let go of my past.

Adults who were sexually abused as a child grow up to develop serious mental illnesses to include bipolar disorder, borderline disorder, anxiety and depression disorders, which can greatly impact their life and relationships.

Childhood sexual abuse can have a wide range of negative effects on survivors, including emotional, psychological, and physical consequences. Survivors may experience feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem as a result of the abuse. They may also struggle with trust issues, intimacy problems, and difficulties forming healthy relationships. It is important for survivors to seek support and therapy to address these issues and begin the healing process.

Survivors may experience feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem as a result of the abuse. They may also struggle with trust issues, intimacy problems, and difficulties forming healthy relationships. It is important for survivors to seek support and therapy to address these issues and begin the healing process.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of childhood sexual abuse is crucial for adult survivors to understand the impact of their experiences. Common signs of childhood sexual abuse include nightmares, flashbacks, self-harm, substance abuse, and difficulties with intimacy. Survivors may also experience physical symptoms such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, and headaches. By recognizing these signs and symptoms, survivors can begin to connect their current struggles with their past experiences of abuse.

In conclusion, understanding the definition of childhood sexual abuse is an important step for adult survivors to reclaim their power and begin the healing process. By recognizing that the abuse was not their fault, survivors can let go of feelings of shame and self-blame. Seeking support and therapy to address the negative effects of the abuse is crucial for survivors to move forward in their healing journey. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of childhood sexual abuse, survivors can begin to make sense of their experiences and work towards healing and empowering.

You can reach out to the following organizations for help and support:

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline

https://www.nimh.nih.gov

https://www.nami.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/responding-to-crises/national-hotline-for-mental-health-crises-and-suicide-prevention/

Someone out there cares and will offer you the care and support you need.  I did, and not only did I seek mental health support, I became a mental health registered nurse and have been supporting this population for over 30 years!

 

Introduction

Black-white, happy-sad, yin-yang, love-hate, up-down, right-wrong, rapid cycling. These are the daily struggles of living with severe bipolar disorder.  I should know. I have lived with bipolar my entire life. Following a devastating divorce and the destruction of my family at age 40, I attempted near-fatal suicide by overdose. I was in the ICU for 4 days and then transferred to an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I was in total denial refusing to accept that I had this dreaded illness. That was the beginning of a string of suicide attempts. This was my first attempt followed by ten hospitalizations in the next few years. I was never stabilized on the right medications, nor did I receive therapy. I had given up hope accepting that this was my fate and I had no control over it. At this stage, I was in a bipolar-depressed phase. I slept all day to escape the darkness surrounding me, and during the night, I would watch television and crochet blankets. Either way, it was an attempt to escape my world. The purpose of this book is to educate and support the many thousands who suffer inexorably from this disorder. I send out my prayers to you all that you will find comfort and peace along your journey of recovery as I now have.