Dissociation: Common Symptoms Experienced by Child Sexual Abuse Survivors | Saprea

In this video, we delve into the topic of dissociation, what it is, and how it can affect adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

Dissociation is a defense mechanism that the brain employs to cope with overwhelming or traumatic events, where a person may feel disconnected from their surroundings, emotions, and even their own body. This can manifest as feeling numb or detached from one's body, experiencing flashbacks or intrusive thoughts, or having difficulty remembering traumatic events.

However, the good news is that there are ways to manage dissociation, and we explore some grounding practices that can help individuals feel more present in the moment and connected to their bodies. These include sensory exercises, such as deep breathing, visualization, and physical movement.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of child sexual abuse and struggles with dissociation, this video provides valuable information on what dissociation is and how to manage it. We encourage you to watch and share with others who may benefit from this information.

At Saprea, we liberate individuals and society from child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts. We have services that help child sexual abuse survivors find healing from the traumatic effects that have often followed them into adulthood, as well as resources for parents and caregivers to learn how to lower the risk of child sexual abuse in their own homes and communities.

Join our communities on social media:

[TheJesusgurlie]

My childhood abuse is a blur because I had to disassociate so often. My abuse lasted from 5 years old up into my teen years. It serves me now but sometimes it doesn’t. It’s very easy for me to detach or remove my self mentally from a bad experience. The only time it doesn’t serve me is when I truly need to be present at times. God bless all survivors of sexual abuse as a child, it’s something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

[StressRUs]

I'm a retired psychiatrist and have only realized at 76 that my lifelong "night terrors" were actually reliving dreams of sexual abuse by an uncle. I was an All Mid-Eight League football player, but remember only a few plays, as I now realize that I dissociated in dangerous situations. I'm, also, a recovering alcoholic and for the first 8 yrs. of this recovery episode when I shared in a meeting I only saw black, not the faces of others that I do now, 11 1/2 yrs. on. In my childhood, I never received the protection and care necessary for the development of basic trust and only found it in safe, secure 12-step groups. What a blessing to finally find the "protection and care" I have been searching for all my life, including the 25 yrs. of chemical dissociation. Thanks for the video! Stress R Us

[axinator]

Good for you! Im a recovering alcoholic myself with 2 years of sobriety. Now I'm trying to understand and work through my trauma(s). Never too late!!

[marisabeltran]

I’m not an introvert… I just lost faith in humanity 😢

[elfenlied_girl]

I’ve realized this when o was having sex and I’ve stopped it cause I can’t remember if I consented to some things or not, I end up pondering about it, and as a result I’m off sex until I’m comfortable again, I’m just scared to put myself in a vulnerable situation

[Sonny]

I still do not recall memories from my childhood especially around the years of sexual abuse.

[IRONHEART-muem]

Emotional numbness is what disassociation perhaps is Thanx for clarifying as far as out of body perhaps when I assaulted or grabed the third rail and failed a suicide attempt and in reference to disassociation perhaps me celibate for the last 9 to 13 yrs God only knows I will try to erase this comment of ventilation by 9:00 am ciao 😊

[IRONHEART-muem]

PS my torso is in critical, ***CONDITION AND CANT FUNCTION WITHOUT 3BACK BRACES AND CRIPICAL IS A TERM I MADE UP TO IDENTIFY THAT I WILL BE CRIPPLE VERILY VERY SOON TO ME THAT WOULD BE LIKE PRE-K AGAIN OH NO NO NO I'LL HAVE TO DELETED MYSELF TO ME MEANS THE HIGEST LEVEL OF PAMPERING MYSELF