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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is the human response to experiencing a traumatic event. This listing is a mix of symptoms of Complex(PTSD), which is the result of months or years of exposure to excessively controlled sexual and domestic life situations (survivors of domestic violence, incest, battering, molestation, clergy sexual abuse, date rape, marital or partner rape, child abuse, childhood sexual abuse and organized sexual exploitation). Every individual is different and will have different combinations of symptoms. PTSD symptoms can be disabling and are severe enough to disrupt work and relationships. Most have depression and or panic and anxiety attacks. The issue of substance abuse or addiction is to be considered. 1) Alienation, feeling disconnected or abandoned form the purpose of the world, feeling all alone 2)Avoiding activities that arouse memories of the trauma/abuse 3)Compulsive or extremely inhibited sexuality 4)Cynicism, believing others are motivated by selfishness 5)Depression(sad, crying,angry, easily annoyed, on edge. These moods may happen in cycles or may be present most of the time) 6)Dissociative (spacing out) 7)Distrust of authority figures 8)Distrust of those previously trusted 9)Emotional distancing (not letting others see your true feelings) 10)Expressing a limited range of emotions 11)Explosive anger or overcontrolled anger 12)Flashbacks(intrusive memories) or feeling like you are reliving the abuse 13)Feeling helpless 14)Feeling hopeless, despair 15)Hypervigilance(watchful,always in a ready state to respond to potential crisis or trauma) 16)Loss of interest in activities or work 17)Loss of sustaining faith 18)Memory deficits or blackouts 19)Negative self image 20)Nightmares 21)Numbness, inability to feel emotions 22)Panic attacks 23)Problems with intimate relationships 24)Repeated failures of self-protection 25)Self-injury 26) Separation issues 27) Shame, guilt and self-blame 28) Sleep disturbances 29) Suicidal feelings, suicidal thoughts, suicidal actions 30) Feeling keyed-up, irritable, and easily startled 31) Survivor guilt 32) Withdrawal or isolation from family, friends, etc. 33) Fearing for your personal safety or feeling like you may not live long for no apparent reason. Recovering from PTSD is an ongoing process, a journey. Healing doesn't mean that a survivor will forget the trauma of violence, sexual assault or have no emotional pain when remembering the assault. Some level of continuing reaction to memories is normal and reflects normal body and mind functions. Our healing journey will lead to fewer reactions and reactions that are less intense. As we learn and grow stronger, our lives will become more manageable. This link below has a lot of helpful information on PTSD and the After effects of sexual abuse and trauma. http://health.msn.com/centers/mentalhealth/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100065525 |
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| The Silver Braid Survivors of Sexual Exploitation Network Metro Atlanta Area |
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| One of Atlanta's nicknames, "The Phoenix City" |