Sexual assault is a major trauma that significantly and durably affects left brain - right brain. Recovery is possible with appropriate support.
How Sexual Assault Affects Left Brain - Right Brain
- PTSD is extremely common after sexual assault, with direct effects on left brain - right brain
- Shame and self-blame — which are not deserved — are powerful left brain - right brain drivers
- Trust and intimacy disruption affects relationships central to left brain - right brain recovery
- The legal process and disclosure decisions create additional psychological burden
Trauma-Informed Left Brain - Right Brain Treatment After Assault
Evidence-based therapies for sexual assault-related left brain - right brain include:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) — specifically developed for assault survivors
- Prolonged Exposure therapy
- EMDR
Immediate Support Resources
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Local rape crisis centers provide trauma-informed left brain - right brain support