Lifestyle
Childhood Abuse: Lasting Impacts and Pathways to Healing
Uncover the profound effects of childhood abuse and learn how to rebuild your life and career with expert support.
In this episode of "Sua Voz," specialists Andreza Thans and Claudia Lisboa tackle the sensitive subject of childhood abuse. Understand its psychological impact, the burden of guilt, and its lasting consequences in adulthood, while gaining practical guidance for healing and female empowerment.
In the inspiring segment "Sua Voz" of Donas da Voz, Livia Matos welcomes specialists Andreza Thans, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, and Claudia Lisboa, an executive coach, to discuss a highly sensitive topic: childhood abuse. Through a moving letter sent by a listener, the episode explores the deep scars left by this experience, offering clarity and pathways to overcoming it.
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The Complexity of Childhood Abuse Trauma
Andreza Thans explains that child sexual abuse is a complex trauma that shatters a victim's life. Due to the brain still being in formation — with the prefrontal cortex only fully developing around 25-27 years of age — processing capacity is limited, making mental health restructuring difficult without professional help. A crucial point is the body's physiology: when touched in intimate areas, a child may experience ticklishness or a form of physical pleasure, which mixes with pain and repulsion, creating immense confusion and a deep feeling of guilt.
This dynamic makes the victim feel "defective" or "damaged," believing that everything wrong is their fault. Alarmingly, Andreza reveals that 74% to 76% of abuse occurs within the family unit. It is crucial for parents to teach children the correct names for intimate body parts (vagina and penis) and the boundaries of touch, empowering them to protect themselves from an early age.
Lasting Scars in Adult and Professional Life
Untreated childhood traumas reverberate into adulthood, affecting self-esteem and mental health. Claudia Lisboa highlights that women who have experienced abuse may develop internal saboteurs, doubting their own competence and not feeling deserving of their professional achievements. This can lead to the belief that success was attained through seduction or by settling for less than they deserve.
Andreza further explains the difference between "Big T traumas" (such as sexual abuse, intense physical and psychological violence, catastrophes) and "little t traumas" (like repeated parental criticism that shapes a negative self-image). Both are traumas and require treatment, as they impact development. The discussion also reveals that sexual abuse can be of a transgenerational nature, transmitted and often hidden within families for generations.
Paths to Healing and Empowerment
Despite the depth of the wounds, there is a path to healing and empowerment. Andreza Thans emphasizes the importance of adult women embracing their inner child, validating its pain and feelings. The first step is the release of guilt, as the responsibility for abuse never lies with the victim, but always with the abuser. Seeking help from a psychologist is essential to understand the impact of trauma and begin the healing process.
For professional and self-esteem aspects, Claudia Lisboa suggests practical steps:
- List your strengths: Identify your competencies, skills, and what you do best. If needed, ask for help from a trusted person or a career specialist.
- Discover your motivation: What energizes you? What do you do with pleasure and makes you happy, even after fatigue? This reveals your true callings.
- Find a mentor: Seek out a woman you admire who is in a position you aspire to reach. A mentor, with her experience, can guide and help identify your talents, boosting your development.
At Donas da Voz, the message is clear: you are not alone. It is a safe environment to share stories and find support. Empathy, sisterhood, and the recognition that everyone carries their own struggles are fundamental to building a better world. If you have a story to share, the email donasdavozpodcast@gmail.com is open to welcome your voice, anonymously and respectfully, transforming your pain into light and inspiration.
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