Long term effects of child abuse?

Question

I have a friend who has confided in me about her childhood. Apparently she was molested as a child, the memory had faded until her last year of middle school, when the man she thinks could have done it passed away. This caused her to remember her problem that she'd recently blocked from memory, since then her grades dropped, she ditched class and started getting very low (if even passing) grades. She is now starting her jr year with hardly any credits and complains of social anxiety. I was wondering if this is coincidental of if the memory of being sexually abused is to blame for her behavior.

Answer 1

No doubt those painful memories are not helping. See if you can help her to get help, and if she is afraid to, offer to sit in on the sessions with her. Even if you're not allowed to, but you have to sit outside, just her knowing that you're there for her through thick and thin would be a tremendous help to her.

You're a great friend, someone she can trust not to betray her confidence, so hold that trust dear to your heart as the precious thing that it is.

Answer 2

she is going to need you to be her friend more than anything, her attitude is not her fault and you will probably feel some of that pass aggression that she is trying to get you, it good she talk to you, you trust you as a friend you you have to put your trust back into her an don't give up, be in her corner ask to go to therapy go with her if you have to support her that is what she needs, she was not getting it while she was a child, help understand that you have her back not matter what, it possible she may want to her hurt her self because of what happen in her child hood, i don't know how often you talk but her telling you is the first step for her wanting to get help. you take care of you friend your going to have to be that strength for her right now

Answer 3

There's an endless list of bad effects.

Answer 4

yes,it is a very big possibility as when traumatic things like that happen,a person will use coping mechanisms to help them deal with it and  a person place or thing might start triggering memories of that event.Some people use other coping skills to deal with it.just be there for her and if she needs to talk be supportive of her,as i am sure this is scarey for her to talk about.

Answer 5

It lowers your self esteem and makes you feel unworthy, hurt, confused, violated, untrusting, etc, she really needs to see a counselor.

Answer 6

yes it is possible the old memories are reoccurring and hurting her, maybe she should see a therapist