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POST
RAPE TRAUMA
RAPE
TRAUMA SYNDROME
Rape
survivors can suffer a significant degree of physical and emotional
trauma during the rape, immediately following the rape, and over
a considerable time after the rape. A three-stage process occurs
as a result of rape or attempted rape. This syndrome
of behavioral, somatic, and psychological reactions is an acute
stress reaction to a life-threatening situation that can last from
two years to a lifetime.
Phase
I: Acute Phase: Immediate impact reaction
(Lasts from one to six weeks)
A.
Physical Reactions
1. Disorganization
2. Sleep pattern disturbances: difficulty falling asleep,
waking during the night, or other types of insomnia. Nightmares
are common.
3. Eating pattern disturbances: marked decrease or increase
in appetite, nausea, vomiting or stomach pains.
4. Symptoms specific to focus of attack: victims forced to
have oral sex may describe irritation to the mouth and throat; victims
forced to have vaginal sex may complain of vaginal discharge, itching,
burning sensations, etc.
B.
Emotional Reactions
1.Shock and denial are predominant.
2.Fear is the primary feeling expressed.
3.Two main styles of emotion are shown by survivors:
GGGa. Expressed: characterized by restlessness,
tenseness, crying or sobbing, extreme talkativeness, yelling, shaking,
etc.
GGGb.
Controlled: characterized by a calm, composed, or subdued effect;
feelings are masked or hidden.
4.Other
common feelings include guilt, blame, shame, embarrassment, anger,
anxiety, humiliation, degradation, betrayal, depression.
5.Thoughts:
uncontrolled thoughts, preoccupation, rumination.
Phase
II: Reorganization Phase
(lasts from sixth week to six months or more/lifetime)
A.
Readjustment to normal life
1.Changes
in lifestyle: changes location of living space, changes job, changes
telephone number, turns to support of family/friends, takes self-defense
class.
2.Somatization:
nausea, headaches, and other physical symptoms; nightmares.
3.Phobias:
being alone or in crowds, fear of sex, fear of men, global fears,
fears specific to the rape situation, paranoia.
4.Mood
swings: anger, depression, flashbacks, rationalization, denial,
anxiety.
Post-traumatic
Stress Disorder
Phase
III: Resolution Phase
(begins
at sixth month/never)
A.
Integration: rape becomes just another bad event in the victim's
life.
B.
Resolution: victim resolves rape event and the effects it has had
on her life.
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