If you have been subjected to sexual abuse in the past or recently, you may suffer from a variety of symptoms, depression being one of them.
Depression may exhibit itself in various ways. Symptoms may include low self-esteem, changes in your sleeping habits, weight loss or gain, anxiety, mood swings, failure to enjoy the things you used to, changes in your sex drive, decreased energy levels, a sense of being numb, feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, and a general lack of interest in life.
If you suffer from depression due to sexual abuse, you may feel that the abuse has changed you and your identity Perhaps you feel that the abuse has “spoiled” you and you will never be the same again. The future may look dim.
The key thing to remember when you are feeling depressed is that any of the above symptoms are a normal reaction to abuse – and with the right kind of help, they can be overcome.
Depression affects people differently, and thus, different types of treatment may be prescribed by your therapist, depending on the severity of your depression.
Counselling & Techniques
Counselling can help you alleviate depression and help you better cope with the negativity in your thought patterns. There are now a number of research-proven techniques such as EMDR that can be very effective for resolving depression and other symptoms related to sexual abuse.
In addition to counselling, having supportive people in your life to talk to can also be helpful. Apart from friends and relatives, there may be support groups in your area that you can seek out.
Exercise & Meditation
You may be advised to exercise because it helps increase the amount of endorphins in your body. Exercise can also give you an opportunity to feel better about yourself and your body, and perhaps give you a chance to interact with people. Mindfulness meditation has also been shown to be very effective for depression. In some circumstances, a doctor may prescribe medication to help you overcome your depression.
What works for one person may not for another. The most important thing is that you seek help and keep trying methods until you find out what works best for you.
Over time, you will find a treatment that can help you successfully overcome depression.