Sexual abuse survivors may develop a fear of anger as a coping mechanism. Let’s address this…
Many survivors are afraid of getting angry because their past experiences with anger were negative.
~Some survivors associate anger with violence
~Anger could have been used in a destructive and out of control way
~Anger could be associated to the perpetrator
Anger might be associated with the traumatic experience itself or with feelings of powerlessness
~Survivors may fear their own anger because it can be overwhelming or remind them of the perpetrator’s aggression
~Some may worry that their anger may connect them to their perpetrators
~Or worse, they are like their perpetrator
Expressing anger might feel counterintuitive or threatening to their sense of self.
~Furthermore, survivors may internalize shame and guilt, associating anger with negativity or wrongdoing.
~Societal expectations and gender norms can exacerbate these fears, especially for survivors who may have been conditioned to suppress their emotions
HEALING IS POSSIBLE 💜
~Therapy often focus on helping survivors understand and manage their emotions, including anger.
~Creating a safe space to explore and express these feelings is crucial in the healing process, allowing survivors to reclaim a sense of control over their emotional responses and gradually overcome the fear associated with anger.
