On today's episode of Yours Mentally we talk about how abuse can affect one's mental health. This episode is in conversation with Jahan Ara Chughtai who is a Trauma Informed Psychotherapist.TW: Mention of Sexual and Physical AssaultWe begin the episode by asking Jahan what are the different kinds of abuse?We then ask what emotional abuse is and what exactly constitutes emotional abuse?We then talk about how people often tend to take emotional abuse lightly because it doesn’t leave any visible marks like physical abuse does. We ask Jahan how she would bust this misconception?We then go on to ask what the difference between the manifestations of emotions versus physical abuse in our behaviour is?Survivors often have difficulties opening up to new people or even with people they’ve known for a long time. We ask Jahan how can they help themselves trust others in relationships again?We ask Jahan what financial abuse is and what are its effects on the victim?One of the lesser discussed after effects of assault includes becoming reckless and self destructive. We ask Jahan why does this happen?Lastly, we ask Jahan what are some ways a survivor can help themselves cope and recover from the pain and scars their abuse has left them with?TW: Mention of Sexual and Physical AssaultAman:As a victim of sexual and physical assault myself, this episode holds a very special place in my heart. There is so much that I learnt from this episode, so many things I did not ever know. Growing up I did not have the strongest support system and always felt alone, I always felt whatever happened to me was my fault. There were days where I felt worthless and saw no point in doing anything. When I was younger I just forced myself to forget what happened to me but as I grew older I realised the setback it had on me mentally. But one thing that I will always be grateful for, are the people I call my superheroes. These people knowingly or unknowingly have helped me so much in my life, they have given me reason to wake up every day and look forward to it, they have inspired me to be a better human being and helped me become the person I am today. These people have helped me so much in my healing journey and today is the day I finally felt comfortable sharing this. There is a line from a book that says "You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore", I feel today I have reached the shore too, all these years I spent running away from myself, today I finally came to terms with what happened and have accepted it. If you too are a victim of abuse, just know it was never your fault and nothing you did made you deserve this. I want to thank each and every one of you listening to the podcast, it means the world to me.I have to go now, need to watch F1, meet my friends, send cute kitten videos to Vaibhavi on Instagram, argue with Bineeta, defeat my friends at F1 on the playstation, oh and also get to work again haha! (sorry Tanisha and Taksh)I hope you enjoy and like this episode as much as I did. I will see you all on the next episode. Take care :)Feel free to reach out to Jahan Ara Chughtai on Instagram at:@pakistanitherpaistPodcast managed by - Taksh JainInstagram - @taksh_jEmail:
[email protected] us on Instagram - @yoursmentallyWe hope you enjoyed this episode, do give us suggestions on Instagram for what you would like to hear next on the podcast!