[Isobel]

Does anyone know if being sexually abused can cause DP?

I was abused sexually by my step father when i was 13, for about 1 year, a freinds father tried it on with me once, and a couple of other incidents happened as well. I know it can cause depression, and was wondering if it could cause dp too

thanks

xx

 

[Sojourner]

Any feelings that we don't deal with can cause the symptom of DP. Sometimes I think that giving symptoms the standing of a disorder helps people not get better because they hang on to the label "DP" or "panic attack" and wear it like a badge of honor instead of looking for the underlying cause -- some feeling they are disowning, to their obvious and painful detriment.

DP is like any other thing that is "evil" -- it is nothing but the absence of what is good.

 

[ShyTiger]

Hi Isobel.
To answer your question, yes it certainly can. Dp can be a way of coping with the situation. It is a coping strategy our mind can develop to get us through. As a result of sexual or any other kind of abuse our way of looking at the world and others can be severly altered. We can start to judge the world around us by the memories and rules we create because of those memories. Which can again lead to high stress and dp. I know of many survivors who have dp as a result of abuse. Are you getting help with healing of your abuse? Its a good idea to get guidence and support in this area.

ShyTiger