T h e a f f e c t s
o f R i t u a l A b u s e
There is no doubt that a person who has been abused ritually is affected by this, in the same way everything around us affect us more or less. The affects of Ritual abuse can, however, be devastating to the person who is being abused, although it doesn't have to be that way.
By this I mean that the affects of Ritual abuse can't be taken too seriously ever; and people should be aware of the fact that the trauma may be affecting the abused persons everyday life, eventhoug she herself (he himself) doesn't even know about it.
Most of the symptoms are not special only for Ritual abuse survivors but for people who have been traumaticed in general, physically or sexually. Due to the fact that the trauma itself is such a serious one, the symptoms may be especially significant.
Syptoms, not usually seen among others than Ritual abuse survivors are either a fashination about or fear for specific symbols (like the turned around cross, the pentagram etc.), things, happenings etc.
(like blood, knifes, children, dolls, electricity and abortion)
Some of the survivors of Ritual abuse has developed something called Multiple Personal Disorder (MPD or DID). This means that they have split personalities (should not be mixed with schizofrenia). Within one human person there can be several alters, who live their own life within this one body. (Read more on the next page!)
Many of which have been ritually (even sexually, phycically etc) abused start to get flashbacks during some period of their life. Getting flashbacks means that you get a memory, which has been hidden from your contioness, back. It may be a smell, a taste, a feeling, a 'picture' or many of these things combined.
It's hard to tell for how long the flashback will occur, but it may be a second, but it also may be several weeks. This is very individual, from person to person, memory to memory.
People have discribed how they 'see somthing that has happened' or hear the voice of the penetrator, how they can smell his breath or feel someone pushing them.
All of this may feel very 'real' as if it happened right now.
However; this is all normal (under the circumstances) eventhough it may be very frightening if you don't know what's happening. It's important to remeber that getting flashbacks only means that you are ready to receive your memories and redy to work with them, NOT that you're going crazy!
If you feel that a flashback is on it's way, please, if possible, try not to be alone!
Usually after a big trauma (or several) you tend to get anctious, nervous, scared etc. Also quilt is a very common feeling after being abused ("Maybe I could have done something that it wouldn't have happened' 'I went there by my own will...' etc) -However: Whatever you did, if you did go there, if you felt pleasure during some of what happened, it still was NOT you fault. Whatever happened, no-one is to blame for being abused, cause whatever you might have done, -this DIDN'T GIVE anyone the RIGHT to do anything to you.
NOTE: Everyone who have been throw a trauma needs to 'work' with it. This can happen in many ways; -making a homepage, drawing, writing, talking, hitting a pillow or running. Don't feel guilt for taking care of yourself. If it hasn't happened before, this is the time!