The Mental Health Impacts of Sexual Assault
Thrive • April 5, 2022
By Thrive Reno Therapist Justus Mora, M.A., MFT-Intern
Sexual assault can have far-reaching impacts on victims’ mental and behavioral health. In response to the trauma of sexual assault, survivors may struggle with conflicting emotions, unhealthy behaviors, and mental and behavioral health conditions. With support from professionals, family members, and friends, however, individuals who have experienced sexual assault can learn to process their experience, discover healthy ways to cope, and find ways to flourish again.
WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the victim.
Some examples include:
- Attempted rape
- Fondling or unwanted sexual touch
- Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts
- Penetration of a victim’s body
SIGNS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Signs that someone has been affected by sexual assault may include:
- Signs of depression : Including persistent sadness, lack of energy, withdrawing from normal activities, and feeling down.
- Self-harming behaviors : As a means for dealing with feelings of pain, distress, or overwhelm.
- Low self-esteem : Characterized by feelings of worthlessness, comparing oneself to others, and difficulty maintaining boundaries.
- Anxiety about situations that didn’t cause worry in the past: Which may present as avoidance of specific situations or places.
- Sexually transmitted infections or signs of physical abuse: Brought on by sexual assault.
- An increase in alcohol or drug use : As a way to cope with the emotional trauma brought on by the sexual assault.
SEXUAL ASSAULT’S IMPACT ON MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Sexual assault increases the risk of developing mental or behavioral health disorders as well as other long-term mental health effects.
Among many others, there is a correlation between sexual assault and the following mental and behavioral health disorders:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression disorders
- Substance use disorders (SUDs)
- Suicidality
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Trauma-related disorders
Long-term mental, emotional, and behavioral health effects of sexual assault can include:
- Anger: Directed at the perpetrator.
- Fear: About subsequent assaults.
- Shame or self-blame: Wrongfully blaming oneself for behaving in a way that encouraged the perpetrator.
- Mood swings: Due to unresolved emotions surrounding the assault.
- Promiscuity: As a kind of maladaptive coping mechanism.
- Loneliness: As a result of social isolation following the assault.
- Difficulty concentrating: Due to being distracted by the distress and trauma of the assault.
- Learned helplessness: A condition that causes individuals to feel utterly helpless to escape aversive situations, due to feeling incapable of avoiding the sexual advances of the offender.
- Loss of trust in others and oneself: About 80% of sexual assault perpetrators are individuals who the victims know, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) . This personal relationship with the offender can impact the victims’ ability to trust others and themselves.
The responses of one’s social circle to a sexual assault can also impact the victim’s mental health, including:
- Family members and friends may desire to avenge their loved one.
- Family members and friends may feel inclined to fix their loved one.
- Family members and friends may downplay their loved one’s experience as “not that bad”.
- Victims may also become the target of bullying by their peers.
These unhealthy responses by victims’ family, friends, and peers are inappropriate and can cause them further mental and emotional distress. While the victim’s loved ones may be distraught in the wake of the assault, to avoid responding inappropriately, they should do their best to remain calm, offer their support to the victim, and seek support for themselves as well.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT
One misconception about sexual assault is that there is no reason for a victim not to report sexual violence.
Unfortunately, victims may grapple with many reasons to keep the assaults secret, including:
- Concern that they won’t be believed
- Fear of being blamed for the assault
- Feelings of intense shame or embarrassment
- Fear of retaliation from their attacker
- A desire to protect their attacker
- Pressure from others not to inform law enforcement
- Distrust in law enforcement
Another misconception is that victims can invite sexual assault or harassment by their behavior, the way they dress, or the places they go. This unjust transfer of responsibility to the victims removes rightful responsibility from perpetrators and can induce anxiety, depression, and trauma responses in victims.
Another misconception is that individuals who commit sexual assaults are mentally ill, abnormal, and perverted. While these circumstances may be true in some cases, sexual offenders come from all educational, cultural, and occupational backgrounds, and most offenders seem normal or ordinary. Their perceived social identity, however, takes away none of the immense harm that they cause victims.
HEALING FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT
Therapy can be vital for recovery from sexual assault and can guide victims to healing by helping them:
- Feel and express all of their emotions without experiencing shame
- Foster self-compassion
- Understand their triggers and discover effective ways to cope
- Get to know their body again
- Feel comfortable pursuing pleasure
At Thrive, we welcome and treat sexual assault victims with utmost respect, compassion, and kindness. Our therapists can help you heal the emotional pain as well as any other mental and behavioral health effects caused by a sexual assault. Reach out to learn more about our therapeutic services .
Additionally, there are national resources available for individuals affected by sexual assault, including:
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline: A 24/7 crisis line that can be reached at 1 (800) 656-4673.
- The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) : The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
About the Author
Thrive Reno Therapist Justus Mora, M.A., MFT-Intern
Justus Mora earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Bakersfield in 2014 before obtaining a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy counseling from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2018. Since then, he’s helped outpatient clients with mental health struggles for over three years. Justus also has clinical experience in a substance abuse recovery setting, where he worked with clients to manage opiate addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns while also assisting with medication management. Throughout his career, he has served teenagers, adults, couples, and families.
As a therapist at Thrive Wellness Reno, Justus specializes in treating clients with mood disorders, relationship issues, and sexual health concerns, as well as those simply seeking more life satisfaction and fulfillment. His clinical approach is grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and existential therapy, as well as elements from several other modalities depending on each client’s unique needs.
Justus is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community and those struggling with sexual health and intimacy issues. He believes everyone needs a sense of safety, comfort, and community to thrive and strives to establish collaborative, non-judgmental, and understanding relationships with clients so that they may connect with their feelings and experience clarity and purpose in their lives.
The post The Mental Health Impacts of Sexual Assault first appeared on Thrive Wellness.
This Eating Disorders Awareness Month, we’re focusing on fighting the misinformation and stereotypes surrounding eating disorders that so often create barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Myths about eating disorders can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and keep people from receiving effective and timely treatment when they need it. It’s no secret that the field of eating disorders is riddled with misinformation, leading to confusion, stigma, and shame for those struggling. In this blog post, we'll explore the common myths about eating disorders and fight them with concrete facts in the hopes of building a more informed and educated community when it comes to these serious mental health conditions. Eating Disorder Myths Versus Facts Myth: Only those who are medically underweight have an eating disorder. Fact: Someone can have an eating disorder at any weight. In fact, less than 6% of those diagnosed with an eating disorder are medically underweight. 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Eating disorders cannot be treated just by changing eating behaviors, but by addressing the mental aspect of the illness as well. This is why integrated treatment involving a team of social workers, primary care specialists, therapists, and in some cases occupational therapists or psychiatrists is so crucial: a holistic approach is needed to treat all aspects of an eating disorder. Myth: Eating disorders aren’t that serious. Fact: Eating disorders are extremely serious and life-threatening mental disorders that require dedicated treatment. In fact, anorexia nervosa has the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. By taking eating disorders and their diagnosis and treatment seriously, we can save lives. Myth: Eating disorders are a choice. Fact: Just like any other illness, eating disorders are not a choice or a phase, nor is recovery from an eating disorder just a simple decision to start eating more or less. Recovery is not dependent on willpower, but on ongoing professional treatment and long-term support. The recovery process can be lengthy and challenging, requiring patience and a supportive environment and team on your side. It is a gradual, step-by-step journey, rather than an instantaneous decision made on one person’s part. Myth: Eating disorders always involve negative body image. Fact: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) does not have to do with body image. Those with ARFID may avoid many foods because of texture, taste, color, or smell, or feared outcomes of eating like choking or vomiting. Like any other eating disorder, ARFID is serious and requires specialized treatment like exposure-response prevention therapy. Myth: Eating disorders only affect White people. Fact: Although Black, Latina/o/x/e, Indigenous/Native, and Asian people are historically underrepresented in studies of eating disorders, large-scale studies have found that rates of eating disorders are the same or higher in all racial and ethnic groups as compared to white individuals (NEDA). Removing racial stereotypes around eating disorders can help to remove barriers that BIPOC individuals commonly face when seeking treatment. Dispelling the Myths: A Path Towards Understanding By addressing and dispelling these myths, we can create a safe space that promotes understanding and empathy. Eating disorders are not choices or phases, but debilitating mental health issues that can affect anyone. Recognizing the seriousness of these disorders is so important in reducing stigma and ensuring that those who are struggling receive the care and support they require. This month and every month, we encourage you to fight misinformation and stick up for those experiencing eating disorders, because knowledge and education can be one of the greatest assets to recovery for those who need it. If you or someone you know is in need of eating disorder support, don’t be afraid to reach out , our team of healthcare professionals are here for you. To learn more about eating disorders and the journey to recovery, download our free eating disorders guide .
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By spreading awareness and providing early intervention in eating disorder treatment, we can not only change lives, but save them. 2. Eating disorders are more common than you think. 9% of the US population will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives and 22% of children and adolescents worldwide show symptoms of disordered eating (NEDA). Since eating disorders can be challenging to detect, many go undiagnosed. Raising awareness for eating disorders and educating our community partners about their symptoms can allow us to catch eating disorders as early as possible and bring these statistics down. 3. Fight harmful eating disorder stereotypes. A common stereotype in association with eating disorders is that of the "thin, white, affluent female," however, anyone is at risk of an eating disorder despite their appearance or background. Stereotypes associated with eating disorders around weight, gender, age and race can create serious barriers to seeking care and major disparities in treatment. People experiencing an eating disorder can face challenges in seeking and receiving treatment or may feel unworthy of recovery when they don’t fit a stereotype, preventing them from gaining needed support and treatment. Promoting diversity and representation through awareness and education can help to break down the harmful stereotypes that have historically surrounded eating disorders. 4. Eating disorder recovery is not a one person job. Family and loved ones’ involvement in eating disorder treatment is crucial for recovery. Family-based therapy (FBT) has proven to be effective in 50% of patients being treated for anorexia nervosa, and is effective in the treatment of other eating disorders as well. A strong support system and steadfast relationships through the struggles associated with eating disorders can lead to more effective and long-lasting recovery. With more awareness and education, people will be better equipped to provide assistance to their loved ones in recovery. 5. You’re not alone. Eating disorders can be an isolating and painful disorder, making those experiencing it feel like they’re the only ones, or that no one understands what they’re going through. Building an informed community through awareness and education can be the first step towards diagnosis and treatment for those who need it. 6. Recovery is Real. Those with eating disorders are capable of long-term recovery through appropriate treatment. Research has found that the earlier intervention takes place in the treatment of eating disorders, the better the odds of long-term recovery are. Awareness and education around eating disorders helps the people that need support find it sooner, resulting in a repaired relationship with food and the body and a fuller life. How can I get involved in eating disorder awareness efforts? To get involved in eating disorder awareness efforts, start by educating yourself about the complexities and different types of eating disorders. By gaining a deeper understanding, you can become a more effective advocate. You can also consider participating in local or national events such as walks, trainings, or online webinars that aim to raise awareness, provide support to those affected, and offer education around eating disorders and their diagnosis. Another simple step for building awareness can be using your social media platform to share factual information, personal stories, or relevant resources that can help demystify eating disorders and reduce stigma. 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You’ve probably heard of “Dry January” or are even participating yourself. More and more people seem to be experimenting with or embracing sobriety from alcohol, but what benefits are there from abstaining? In this article, we’ll explore alcohol’s effects on mental health, the symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD), and the benefits of cutting back on drinking. Alcohol's Effects on Mental Health Commonly consumed as a way to relax after a long day or to lighten up in social interactions, alcohol is a widely used and culturally accepted drug despite warnings of its dangers by health experts . When a person regularly drinks, it can result in a slew of complications for their physical and mental health. Although often consumed in an attempt to escape stress, sadness, or other unpleasant emotions, alcohol itself is a depressant that can contribute to negative feelings and exacerbate existing mental health conditions, especially with prolonged use. Alcohol influences thoughts, mood, and behaviors by impacting the central nervous system in a way that slows the communication between the brain and the body. Without the ability to process information effectively, the brain isn't able to regulate emotions and consider consequences effectively which may promote unhealthy behaviors, including drinking to excess. Ways that alcohol can affect cognitive functioning include: Lowering inhibitions Contributing to poor judgment Causing confusion Causing lapses in memory Disrupting sleep Contributing to shifts in mood Alcohol and Mental Disorders According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 37% of people with alcohol use disorders also have at least one serious mental illness. Furthermore, alcohol abuse commonly occurs alongside depression and anxiety . Research has shown that those with major depressive disorder and those with generalized anxiety disorder were more likely to report life‐time moderate to severe alcohol use disorder than those without these conditions. Frequently, individuals struggling with depression or anxiety self-medicate by drinking alcohol. Although alcohol may provide temporary relief, it expends the chemicals in the brain which help ward off anxiety and depression. When the initial effects of the drug fade, individuals are typically left feeling more depressed or anxious than they did before they began drinking. Related: Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse, and Substance Abuse Disorders Alcohol Use and Depression The slowed functioning of the brain caused by alcohol can allow individuals to numb to their suffering. As such, those experiencing depression may be inclined to drink to avoid the sadness, pain, and hopelessness associated with depression. This maladaptive coping behavior is so prevalent that research shows a clear relationship between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depression. Using alcohol while depressed can be extremely dangerous. Not only can alcohol negatively interact with antidepressants, but it can also place individuals experiencing depression at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior . If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors , you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Alcohol Use and Anxiety According to a study on anxiety and AUD , a person with an anxiety disorder is two to three times more likely to develop an alcohol abuse disorder. When individuals with anxiety drink alcohol, they may feel an initial alleviation of their symptoms as well as a sense of euphoria. However, the symptoms of hangovers and alcohol withdrawal following heavy drinking can heighten feelings of anxiousness and interfere with ones daily obligations, contributing to even more agitation. This feeling of dread and anxiety associated with a hangover is commonly referred to as " hangxiety ," but for those with existing anxiety conditions, this side effect of drinking can feel unbearable. Individuals with anxiety may be driven to drink more to tamper their stress and re-establish the sense of euphoria, resulting in a dangerous cycle of alcohol abuse. Unhealthy Drinking Behaviors and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Most who regularly drink alcohol don't have AUD, which develops when addiction is present. However, alcohol-related side-effects on mental health are still common, and they may still benefit from mental health support . Signs of unhealthy alcohol use include: Feeling a need to consume alcohol to make it through the day Feeling unable to stop consuming alcohol Progressively feeling a need to increase consumption of alcohol Drinking to prevent or alleviate symptoms of hangover or withdrawal Feeling ashamed of ones alcohol consumption Having loved ones express concern over drinking habits AUD is a condition that is often driven by genetics, abuse, trauma, or unhealthy family dynamics. Healing from AUD is possible and it can be treated with the help of mental health professionals and a dedicated treatment plan. Signs of AUD include: Alcohol use that interferes with the ability to carry out daily activities Drinking despite the behaviors adverse effects on their life Often drinking more or for a longer period of time than intended Persistent desire and unsuccessful attempts to curb alcohol use Revolving their schedule around drinking Experiencing strong cravings for alcohol Continuing to drink despite experiencing recurring illness or social issues as a result of alcohol use Giving up activities one used to enjoy in favor of drinking Using alcohol during situations where its physically hazardous to be impaired Continuing to use alcohol despite knowing that it exacerbates a known existing health condition Developing a tolerance for alcohol, or needing more alcohol to feel the same effects Experiencing alcohol withdrawal or drinking more to avoid withdrawal What are the Mental Health Benefits of Going Sober or Drinking Less Alcohol? Reducing or eliminating your alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of mental health benefits, improving your overall quality of life. When going sober or cutting back on your alcohol consumption, some of the benefits you can look forward to are: Improved mood stability, including reduced feelings of depression and anxiety Improved sleep quality Enhanced cognitive function Increased energy levels Improved concentration and productivity Increased self-esteem More authentic social interactions Improved relationships Limiting your alcohol consumption has the capability to change your life for the better, as it can help you establish a healthier mental environment, build better connections, and improve your physical health. Support for Alcohol Abuse and its Mental Health Impacts As humans, it can be uncomfortable for us to process difficult experiences and feel intense emotions. Therapy can help heal the source of your struggles driving alcohol abuse, while also guiding you in implementing healthy strategies for processing painful emotions. Through professional mental health support, you can be empowered to embrace life without having to rely on alcohol. Thrive offers outpatient therapy for substance abuse struggles in addition to other mental and behavioral health conditions. Reach out to learn more. Additional Resources SAMHSAs National Helpline : A free, confidential, and 24/7 service for individuals and families facing mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders, reachable by calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or texting 435748 (HELP4U). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholisms (NIAAA) Treatment for Alcohol Problems : A guide for individuals and their loved ones who are looking for options to address struggles with alcohol use.
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