Sexual assault changes so much about the individual it happens to. The way they think, the way they live, their view of everything changes. It is a journey to find yourself once more. It is normal to feel dirty, cringe when touched, not want to be intimate, and back away from people trying to get to close or infringe in your life.
There are healthy ways to battle your way to a sense of peace. 1. For each negative you catch yourself thinking insert a positive. Nothing about what happened is your fault. 2. Make an appointment with a Licensed Professional Massage Therapist. Have the therapist work with you beginning with short sessions on your face, hands, and feet. This will help you readjust to good or positive touching and take the dirty feeling away. As the therapist works with you acclimation and comfort begins to occur. Cringing stops and before long you can go thru the entire massage (usually 8 months to a year) with no or few issues. Flash backs will inevitably occur from time to time, but you will handle them better. 3. Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques can become a life line. Panic/Anxiety: (http://freedomfromfear.org) I can not tell how many times an anxiety/panic attach has paralyzed me with fear. Just stopping for a moment to reason - 1. "Is this a chemical issue - organic in nature? I am safe." There is no immediate or pending danger for this feeling to be real. This feeling is Chemical not actual." The self check and evaluation is imperative. It is the basis for the next steps. Knowing I am not in danger and the feeling is a chemical imbalance I can begin to do some deep breathing and stretching. I can also work into the all important relaxation. Your mind is tricking your system into a state of fear. Stop and fix the issue. a) Breath to oxygenate b) Stretch to maximize oxygen intake to muscular system c) Lay back with a pillow under the small of your back and cognitively relax every part of your body - toes to brain. d) 15 minutes of dark (eyes covered) rest can help also