How does feeling like you are being believed effect your overall recovery?

I have been trying to work on recovery from sexual abuse with my T, and I definitely feel like she believes me, but when it comes to my parents, it feels like they don't believe me still.

I went to the doctor (again) recently and he asked me if I had a history of abuse of any kind. I wasn't sure what to say and I looked at my mom, who was with me, and she gave me a weird look that said, "I know you're not thinking of telling him you were abused" so I ended up lying to him and telling him I had no history of that.

I feel like I keep getting jipped because I don't feel like my parents believe me. I have a hard time talking to anyone about the abuse because it feels like if my own parents don't believe me, who would? You know?

Can I still make a full recovery despite feeling like I'm not being believed?

[Bill3]

I have a hard time talking to anyone about the abuse because it feels like if my own parents don't believe me, who would?

I think most people here would believe you. I know that I would.

Parents often disbelieve because, for many parents, to believe that abuse occurred would be to believe that they fell short as parents.

What if you saw the doctor without your mother present?

Some people will not believe you because of their own issues.
They do not want to face the truth.
It is only important if you face the truth.
The people who do not believe you are not going to be a support for your recovery; they will be a hindrance.
This I know from personal experience.

[Can't Stop Crying]

Personally, I think not feeling you are believed by people currently in your life prohibits your ability to heal...I have experience with not being believed and it is horrible....can I ask how old you are?...you can pm me if you want...

Originally Posted by Bill3

What if you saw the doctor without your mother present?

I think I'd be a little more honest if I wasn't with my mom, but I'd still leave it vague like, "Yes I was sexually abused. No, I'm not going to expand on that."

Originally Posted by Can't Stop Crying

Personally, I think not feeling you are believed by people currently in your life prohibits your ability to heal...I have experience with not being believed and it is horrible....can I ask how old you are?...you can pm me if you want...

I'm 19 years old.

[striped_unicorn]

I've been in denial about my husband being abusive

I've been struggling with feeling like no one REALLY believed me until very very recently
And it is a HUGE weight off my back to no longer have to convince others of who he really is

I recently discovered that sexual coercion IS also abuse, EVEN if it's your husband... That it's NOT my duty to always say yes

I have yet to even bring that up to those who know he is abusive, im not ready for that fight of convincing

[StressedMess]

As a mom, I didn't "want" to disbelieve my daughter. I wanted to disbelieve she had been hurt. I wanted to think I was super-mom, capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound, and capable of protecting my children.

What a shock to find out that my baby was hurt repeatedly for years by someone I invited into our home! Turns out she was scared to tell me because she thought I wouldn't believe her.

When she finally gave me all the details, over a year after the abuse stopped, I just hugged her and said "I'm glad you feel safe enough to finally tell me."

So your mom pretending it didn't happen to you is not healthy, but I can understand where she's coming from. Doesn't make it right, doesn't make you hurt less.

I'm sorry this happened to you, and I believe in you. *hugs*