The Side Effects of Sexual Abuse

Thank you for sharing @deshaming . I never talk about my past eating disorder which was bulimia. I was a practicing bulimic from the ages of 12 until 26 years old. It was a way of having some sense of control over myself in light of my childhood long sexual abuse at the hands of my “father;” a coping mechanism. Bulimia destroyed my stomach and my teeth. I am forced to face my past every time I look at my missing teeth that were destroyed by my stomach acids. I have ulcers in my stomach, as well as gastritis, inflammation, and pain. All because my 12 year old self wanted to feel some control and safety. The sexual abuse is never the only tragedy. The side and after effects of it manifest in other ways—like bulimia, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, sexual dysfunctions, etc. I myself am never completely relaxed within myself because of my teeth. I have to live with my insecurity in that until I get them fixed. But I am determined to live—and I do—a beautiful and adventurous, joyFull and loveFull, helpful, genuine life.