Margot Torossian

Even when we do everything right, tragedy can still find us, leaving us stunned and struggling to pick up the pieces. In these moments, our inner world can feel shattered, and we may find ourselves lost in the shadows of PTSD. This condition is a master of disguise, showing up differently for everyone, like a palette of colors unique to each story. But the pain it brings is something we all recognize: PTSD can storm your mind, sweep you off your feet, and make you question who you are. It can feel like being trapped in a private nightmare, where trust, identity, and daily life slowly unravel. Because these experiences can shake us to our core and change how we connect with others, I believe it is vital for everyone to recognize the signs of PTSD. If you or someone you care about ever faces such trauma, spotting the symptoms early can make all the difference in healing. In this blog post, I want to talk about how sexual abuse can lead to PTSD. What fascinates me about PTSD is that not everyone who experiences sexual abuse will develop it. Some people may endure abuse and seem less affected, only to have a later experience trigger PTSD. Science still does not fully understand why some individuals develop PTSD, and others do not. My guess is that many complex factors are at play, making each person’s journey unique and intricate, just like humanity itself. Still, anyone can develop PTSD, which is why it is so important to educate the public about consent and the gentle nature of being human. We need to encourage protection and care for one another. Unlike what is often shown in porn, where aggression and objectification are common, real people are deeply sensitive, and porn does not reflect reality. It never justifies rough or non-consensual behavior. Consent matters, and understanding that pressured or unwanted sexual experiences can leave lasting scars like PTSD is crucial. We are meant to nurture and care for each other—that is our true nature — and care for one another, so is our design. 
Even though laws around sexual abuse in some states and countries must entail a penetration of one way to another, penetration is by no means required to receive a PTSD, which is why I think law makers should revisit this law, and to protect people, redefine sexual abuse as a broad term, because it is with absolute certainy that even the risk of sexual violence, its possibility, threat of it, can very much cause debilitating PTSD in same severity as penetration. And here are some, not all, symptoms that, in accordance with DSM 5 TR, constitute PTSD: 

1. directly experiencing a traumatic event (actual or threatened)
2. witnessing events as they occur to others (here I can’t help but think of the exposure to videos on the internet that carry violent content, available now on Instagram and maybe other platforms, even in small sizes, but supplied in mass quantities due to algorithms, and caution on the consequences of this exposure to your nervous system), and others.
   
   The presence of at least one intrusive symptom: 
3. recurrent distressing memories, involuntary 
4. recurrent distressing dreams, content related to the event 
5. flashbacks: when one feels or acts as if trauma is recurring.
6. intense and prolonged distress at exposure to internal and external cues that remind one of the event 
7. physiological reactions to those cues 

And also: 

1. avoidance of distressing memories, feelings 
2. effort to avoid external reminders (people, places, activity, conversation…)

Then 

1. inability to remember important aspects of a traumatic event 
2. negative beliefs about self and others, and the world “is completely dangerous.” 
3. DISTORTED cognition about the cause and consequences of the trauma (people may blame themselves) 
4. persistent negative emotional states, ex, horror
5. diminished interest in significant activities 
6. feelings of estrangement from others 
7. inability to experience positive emotions 

Also, 

1. irritable behavior 
2. reckless behavior 
3. hypervigilence 
4. exaggerated startle response 
5. problems concentrating 
6. sleep disturbance 
   
   This is a long list of symptoms, but usually just a few from each category are enough for a PTSD diagnosis if they last more than a month. If you are experiencing PTSD and see yourself in these symptoms, I hope this helps you understand what is happening and why. My wish is that this knowledge lifts the weight of blame from your shoulders and helps you see your struggles, emotions, and behaviors with greater clarity and compassion.
   
   No list of words or symptoms can truly capture the depth and intensity of what survivors of rape endure, often for years. Triggers can reopen old wounds, making the pain feel fresh all over again.
   
   I hope that one day, in our pursuit of education, children and society on sexual hygiene, consent, and body awareness, we can also educate ourselves on the sensitive nature of our souls, and understand the terrible implications of the rape of a fragile human psyche. Nobody deserved to go through this experience. Help is there if you’re suffering from these symptoms; reach out for help. 
   
   And again, PTSD can be brought upon by a penetration, or even a threat of abuse. 

This blog is brought to you by Margot Torossian, an MA candidate in Mental Health Counseling and an intern in sex and couples therapy. If you are ready to begin your healing journey, you are welcome to schedule a free 30-minute consultation and receive expert, compassionate care.

Margot Torossian, Intimacy & Relationship Therapist
Email: margot@cmrchicago.com
Phone: +1 (312) 813-7701
Telehealth Visits Only