Shame is one of the most powerful emotional consequences of trauma, yet it remains one of the least understood. While fear is often recognized as a hallmark of post-traumatic stress, shame tends to linger quietly in the background—undetected but deeply corrosive. This is especially true for survivors of sexual trauma, in whom shame functions not only as an emotional response but as a profound psychological injury. It distorts self-concept, disrupts embodiment, and significantly increases the risk of developing disordered eating behaviors.

Empirical studies consistently link experiences of

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