From Childhood Abuse to Healing: Ashley Pereira's Story (Part 1)
Have You Ever Wondered Why You Feel Like You're Running on Empty? A Survivor's Story of Trauma and Healing
Imagine feeling successful, running a thriving business, yet on the inside battling a monster you can't name. This is the reality for many survivors of childhood trauma. In this blog post, we explore the powerful interview with Ashley Pereira in the podcast Flip Your Mindset." Ashley, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and suicide attempts, breaks the silence on the hidden struggles of trauma and the path to healing.
A Stolen Childhood and the Importance of Listening
Ashley bravely shares her harrowing experience of abuse, which began at the age of nine and lasted for six years. This trauma left her with few memories of her childhood and deeply impacted her life. Ashley emphasizes the importance of recognizing the reasons behind a child's changing behaviors - in her case, expressed through bullying and attempted suicide - rather than dismissing them. Sadly, Ashley's cries for help were ignored by her own mother.
The Hidden Struggles of Trauma
The impact of trauma goes beyond the emotional. Ashley details her struggles with insomnia, a common side effect, and how it affected her daily life, leading to issues like lack of motivation and poor eating habits. She also sheds light on the misdiagnoses often faced by trauma survivors. Ashley herself was misdiagnosed with conditions like borderline personality disorder due to the complex ways trauma manifests.
A Healing Journey Begins
Ashley's healing journey began after a suicide attempt at the age of 21. She highlights the importance of proper diagnoses and the work of trauma specialists in recognizing the root cause of mental health issues. She credits therapists like Bessel van der Kolk for their work on developmental trauma disorder (DTD).
Living with Complex PTSD
Ashley describes the physical and emotional toll of living with Complex PTSD (CPTSD) undiagnosed. She details a period of frequent doctor visits for various health issues and a struggle to maintain healthy relationships. Despite her professional success, the unaddressed trauma led to a breakdown and another suicide attempt in 2015.
Finding the Right Help
Fortunately, Ashley received help and was placed with a trauma therapist who utilized EMDR therapy, a method considered unorthodox at the time. The therapist's empathetic approach and shared experience of childhood sexual abuse were instrumental in Ashley's healing process.
Hope for Healing
This interview offers a powerful message of hope for survivors of trauma. Ashley's story highlights the importance of seeking help from trauma-focused mental health professionals. The second episode of this interview series promises to delve deeper into Ashley's healing journey.
