Eating Disorders and sexual abuse are often experienced together.
1 out of every 4 girls in the United States will experience sexual abuse by the time she is 16.
After being diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating, a large number of individuals also reveal that they were sexually abused when they were younger.
Researchers have found that the link exists in many cases when the person feels shameful about what has happened to them and takes action by starving him/herself of her supposed “sins.”
Often these individuals also strive to make themselves disappear from the world by literally becoming smaller. They believe that in this way they can stop it from happening again.
48% of all rapes involve a young woman under the age of 18.
To begin recovering from such distress, therapists find that having the sufferer tell his or her story helps to start the healing process.
Dr. Patti Feuereisen has been working with sexual abuse survivors for over 25 years. Her book, Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse, brings readers into the lives of those who have suffered but who share their experience for their own healing and that of others.
The book acts as a way to, not only help the individuals recover, but to also help the public understand what they have gone through. The girl’s and women’s voices are powerful, poignant and resonant with resilience.
It also offers those who have also been through sexual abuse hope that they can heal and also motivation for them to start speaking their own voices.
This article first appeared on www.Suite101.com
Author's Bio
Ms. Henry is a freelance Writer and Actress residing in Vancouver, Canada. She was the Editor of Beauty: You Define It magazine and has worked intensively with local youth around issues such as body image, eating disorders and dieting.
She has published a book of poetry titled, Silent Screams (Trafford Publishing, 2002), which was written when she was a teenager. The second printing was released in 2007.
Along with writing, Lori sat on the Advisory Committee of Jessie's Hope Society (formerly ANAD) and is a Director of the You Are Not Alone Eating Disorder Society and Shelley's Angels Society.
Visit her website for more information.
Submit Your Articles