Need answers...

[puamelia]

When does it go from sexual abuse to rape? What is the difference?  Will the pain ever go away?  How do I manage the anxiety and PTSD?

[puamelia]

I am trying and I just feel like I am spinning my wheels.  Horrible things have happened to me and I am trying really hard to figure them out and move on.  I have mental reminders, physical reminders.  I was neglected/physically abused and sexually abused by various people until I was 18, I was then raped by the father of the children that I was babysitting for... I still have mental and emotional abuse from my family.  I don't remember most of my childhood.  I am working with a counselor but it doesn't seem to be helping.  I am having health problems that the doctors are thinking are related to the traumas in my life.  I don't know what to do anymore.  It just hurts and I want it to go away!!  Thank you for your comments.

[getlykemc10]

Well with sexual abuse there usually is a threat of force involved to get the person to submit whereas rape [[sometimes]] isn't threatened it is forced. As a victim of rape I can say that the pain doesn't truly go away altogether. I was raped by a close friend when I was 13 [[I'm 20 now]] & the pain still hasn't went away fully. I think a part of me is still suffering from PTSD. The good news is that I have started to cope a lot better now & it doesn't kill me to think or talk about it. Talking to a counselor helps a lot you should try it & good luck.

[specialmom]

Sexual abuse and rape are very similar.  Both are very painful emotionally.  I would suggest that you see a therapist that can help you work through issues surounding any occurances of these things in your life.  Medication is often necessary to treat anxiety and PTSD and a psychiatrist working with a psychologist would give you the best odds for recovery.  I wish you luck