Even if you don’t realize it, your sexual abuse may have left a lasting impact on you and your relationships. Years or even decades later, psychological effects from an instance of sexual abuse can linger and pervade your judgment and decision-making.
Immediately after the instance of sexual abuse, you might feel shocked, fearful, or even guilty. Many survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that causes the same feelings to return long after the event when exposed to certain triggers.
Not everyone gets PTSD, and the lasting effects after sexual abuse are different for everyone. They might include social isolation, extreme anxiety, trouble maintaining close relationships, or risky sexual behavior.