Here Be Monsters

There are real reasons for the unrelenting difficulties that survivors of incest face -- in fact, these problems are coping mechanisms; they are the mind and body's attempts to deal with the pain of abuse.

Problems survivors face:

Fear of being alone in the dark or of sleeping alone.
Alienation from body, refusal to take care of body needs.
Poor body image, deliberate manipulation of body size to reduce sexual attractiveness.
Digestive problems, changes in eating patterns.
Joint pain.
Wearing excessive clothing in inappropriate weather.
Drug or alcohol abuse, addictions, and compulsive behaviors.
Self injury.
Phobias.
Need to be "invisible."
Suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or passive suicide (refusing to get health care, putting yourself in destructive situations).
Depression, seemingly baseless crying
Anger issues -- the inability to express anger, constant anger, unexplained hostility.
Depersonalization, psychic numbing, shutdown in crisis.
Security seeking behaviors.
Trust issues; inability to trust, or indiscriminate trusting.
High risk taking.
Boundary issues; control, power, fear of losing control.
Guilt, shame, low self esteem.
Revictimization of self, imability to say no or set personal limits.
Feeling demand to produce to be loved.
Blocking out time during childhood.
Feeling of carrying a secret, urge to tell, feeling marked. Feeling unreal or detached.
Denial. Minimizing (it wasn't that bad) flashbacks.
Sexual issues; aversion to touch, strong aversion to or need for certain sexual acts.
Avoidance of sex, crying after orgasm.
Apathy.
Avoidance of mirrors.
Desire to change one's name or surroundings.
Limited tolerance for happiness and enjoyment/reluctance to trust feelings of well-being.
Aversion to noise-making during sex.
Multiple personalities.
Sensitivity to swallowing or gagging, and feelings of suffocation.