Is it normal for someone with a history of sexual abuse and rape to become very promiscuous and preoccupied with things of a sexual nature e.g. pornography, self exposure and prostitution whilst at the same time experiencing little to no genuine pleasure from sexual activities? I was sexually abused as a toddler and raped during my early adolescence, throughout my life I have been very promiscuous and almost 'obsessed' with sex and sexual things but I find myself avoiding sex when in a loving relationship, have a very low libido and still feel compelled to seek sexual attention outside the relationship. I am very confused and am unsure if this is typical of someone with my history. I am now 21 years old.

Yes, this can be the behavior of someone with your background. Are you in therapy to improve your life and how you relate to others?

Yes, this can be the behavior of someone with your background. Are you in therapy to improve your life and how you relate to others?

I was in cognative analytical therapy but dropped out as it was becoming too difficult to cope with, I knew it would get worse before it got better but I was becoming suicidal due to being forced to face events/feelings I normally try to bury. I am trying to 'self correct' my behaivour, but haven't a clear enough understand of what is correct. I don't know if the way I feel/act makes sense or is just me being crazy.

Larkemett, you aren't crazy.

I too was molested as a child, and raped as a teen. Because of that I became very promiscuous, mainly because I didn't care about myself, I viewed myself as too damaged to care if I was damaged even more.

Therapy can help. It's not always easy to find the right therapist right away. Sometimes you have to shop around, find someone you mesh with, someone you can really open up to.

It took a long time for me to come to terms with my past. It wasn't easy to accept who I once was, or the things that were done to me, or the things I did to myself. One thing I learned is that everything I've been through, every decision I've made, has lead me to where I am now. The road wasn't always an easy one to walk, but the destination has sure been worth it.

You can get there, because you want to. :)