09/19/2023
Sexual Trauma and Eating Disorders
This post will highlight possible ramifications and effects of a history of sexual assault, and how these relate to the possibility of an eating disorder. Though not everyone who gets sexually assaulted will develop an eating disorder, thought processes following this type of trauma often create the perfect breeding ground for one to begin.
Thoughts and Possible Following Effects
Reaction to Trauma Action to "Help"
⦁Feeling "gross" -> "Cleanse" body
⦁Wanting to crawl out of body -> Change weight ("new" body)
⦁"Disappointed" in self -> "Punish" self
⦁Fear of being appealing -> Rid self of breasts/hips/physique
⦁Sadness/Depression -> Lose appetite/will to eat
The first bullet point of feeling "gross," is a common reaction to sexual trauma. It also doubles as a common feeling for those struggling with body dysmorphia or an eating disorder. What the affected individual may then try to do is cleanse this body, or rid it of "all things bad." In turn, this can lead to using laxatives, purging, or restricting intake in various ways. The next possible effect, of wanting to crawl out of one's body, is a common segue to an eating disorder. For example, if someone was assaulted in a body at a certain weight, they may want to find home in a new weight. For some, this may mean losing weight until they feel less tied to the body that was "actually" assaulted. Unfortunately, this lends to the feeling of dread of ever being in that body ever again. For others, this may mean overeating to change their body. They, in turn, will associate that smaller body with the one that was "actually" assaulted. If one feels as though they "asked for it," or "deserved it," a common misconception pushed in media today, they may feel that they've lost the right to their old body. What's their punishment? They cannot live in that body ever again. Therefore, they will take the steps necessary to make this possible.
These body changes may also tie into another point mentioned above: appeal. A history of sexual trauma may leave the one affected wondering how they can prevent this from happening again. If they believe their body was "too appealing," which is another common misconception in media, they may try to change this. For women, this may look like trying to shrink their breasts or hips, or gaining enough weight that society deems them as unattractive. For men, this may look like gaining or losing enough fat, or losing enough muscle, that society too deems them as unattractive. The common theme here: using food and body to avoid possible harm in the future. In reality, though, these measures may often be unsuccessful in warding off future trauma, or simply unrelated.
Mechanisms of the Eating Disorder
Reaction to Trauma Action to "Help"
⦁Flashbacks/Memories -> Self-Medicate: Over/under eat
⦁Thoughts of su***de -> Subtle way of killing self
⦁"I need help" -> "I'll use my body to ask"
⦁Feeling out of control -> Eating Disorder: sense of control
⦁Blame -> "Deserve" self harm
⦁Shame -> Shame the body/self too
Many people who experience sexual trauma may experience flashbacks, intense memories, or nightmares. There are a few seemingly viable options when this is the case: continue on without change, seek counseling, use prescribed medication, use illegal substances, or use food (to name a few). For the purpose of this post, using food will be of focus here. Manipulating intake can be used as a way of self-medication. For some, food may feel like a safety net, or as a comfort. When they eat, their bad thoughts may dissipate, and they may feel a rare moment of peace. They may feel relief from their mind, encouraging them to seek this feeling over and over again. For others, the lack of food may provide for this same safety net. A starving brain is often a numb brain. This means that each hunger pang may feel like relief, or a break from overwhelming thoughts. Again, this leaves the affected craving this feeling.
What Can We Do?
The biggest impact we can have, as loved ones and mental health professionals alike, is support, validate, and help the one affected feel safe. We must not bash on the actions they have taken trying to live after their traumatic experience. The steps they chose to take, they took to survive. We must validate them for this, and provide a space of no judgment. Every person will handle a seemingly "similar" sexual trauma very differently. No way of moving forward is right or wrong. However, as clinician's, we must find a new outlet for them to feel and move forward from that pain. We must find ways for them to feel in control of their body, mind, and experience again, without manipulating their intake. In a sense, too, it will take time and trust. It's almost as if exposure therapy is forced to be used. For example, a client may someday experience being in that seemingly same body that was assaulted someday. With each day that passes, and each new tool and technique implemented, that dreaded body won't feel so scary anymore. We must be there for them through this process. As professionals and loved ones, we must empower the individual. We must help them see their value, and the lack of impact their body and food has on this. Finally, we must express and show our unrelenting, and unconditional support. There is no timeline on healing, and there should be no expectation on when changes and progress should be seen.
To read full blog visit our website at: https://www.breakfreetherapyservices.com/eating-disorder-blog/blog-post-title-four-xxdma
Author: Maria Ortiz
Maria Ortiz is currently accepting new clients for eating disorders. For more information and free consultation please contact 239-478-6997 or email MOrtiz@breakfreetherapyservices.com
Many people who experience sexual trauma may experience flashbacks, intense memories, or nightmares. There are a few seemingly viable options when this is the case: continue on without change, seek counseling, use prescribed medication, use illegal substances, or use food (to name a few). For the pu
