I (female, 20), cannot fall asleep around men.. this includes my male friends (ages 18-20), who come and go from my very social apartment/dorm. Everytime I try to sleep and a man walks in, my nervous system is SHOT. My heart races, and all my past traumas come up. In the past, between ages 15-19, I have been sexually assaulted in my sleep by men aged 17-38, and I can NEVER let me guard down. I want to be able to trust my male friends and ease into a new healthy romantic relationship, but I don’t know how
2 comments
Try to voice your concerns whenever you feel like your boundaries aren’t being respected. You have a right to feel safe in your space and your friends should help you with that, not make you feel uneasy.
you need to speak with a professional that specializes in SA. you experienced a deeply traumatic event that needs to be addressed urgently.