Rape trauma syndrome

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Rape Trauma Syndrome is a form of post traumatic stress syndrome experienced by a rape victim. The term is used to characterize a group of signs, symptoms and reactions of a rape victim.[1]

Research has shown that rape victims suffer a significant degree of psychological trauma during, immediately following, and for a considerable time after they have been raped. This theory was first described by psychiatrist Ann Wolbert Burgess and sociologist Lynda Lytle Holmstrom in 1974.

The Rape Trauma Syndrome describes three psychological stages a rape victim goes through. The acute stage, the outer adjustment stage, and the renormalization stage.

Contents

[edit] Acute Stage

Victims vary as to the amount of time they remain in the acute stage. The immediate symptoms may last a few days to a few weeks and may overlap with the outward adjustment stage. Behaviors which may be present in the acute stage are:

  • Diminished alertness
  • Numbness
  • Dulled Sensory, affective and memory functions
  • Disorganized thought content
  • Paralyzing anxiety
  • Pronounced internal tremor
  • Obsession to wash
  • Hysteria and confusion
  • Bewilderment
  • Calmness and collectedness
  • Acute sensitivity to the reaction of other people

Not all survivors show their emotions outwardly. Some may appear calm and unaffected by the assault.[2]


[edit] The Outward Adjustment Stage

Victims in this stage seem to have resumed their normal lifestyle but there is internal turmoil which may manifest itself in any of the following behaviors:

  • Continuing anxiety
  • Sense of helplessness
  • Persistent fear and or depression
  • Mood swings from relatively happy to depression or anger
  • Vivid dreams, recurrent nightmares, insomnia, wakefulness, flashbacks, loss of concentration

[edit] Lifestyle

Victims in this stage can have their lifestyle affected in some of the following ways:

  • Their sense of personal security or safety is damaged.
  • They feel hesitant to enter new relationships.
  • Sexual relationships become disturbed. Many victims have reported that they were unable to re-establish normal sexual relations and often shied away from sexual contact for some time after the rape. Some report inhibited sexual response and flashbacks to the rape during intercourse.

Some now see the world as a more threatening place to live after the rape so they will place restrictions on their lives so that normal activities will be interrupted. For example, they may discontinue previously active involvements in societies, groups or clubs. Or, a mother who was a survivor of rape, may place unreasonable restrictions on the freedom of her children.

During this stage the victim may develop dependency on alcohol, cigarettes or drugs, both prescribed and illegal.

[edit] Physiological Responses

Physiological reactions such as tension, headaches, fatigue, general feelings of soreness or localized pain in the chest, throat, arms or legs. Specific symptoms may occur which relate to the area of the body which has been assaulted. Survivors of oral rape may have a variety of mouth and throat complaints, while survivors of vaginal or anal rape have different physical reactions.

[edit] Eating disorders

Appetite disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. Rape survivors are also prone to developing anorexia and or bulimia.

[edit] Phobias

A common psychological defense that is seen in rape survivors is the development of fears and phobias specific to the circumstances of the rape, for example:

  • A fear of being in crowds
  • A fear of being left alone anywhere
  • A fear of going out at all, agoraphobia
  • Specific fears related to the characteristics of the assailant, such as mustache, curly hair, the smell of alcohol or cigarettes, type of clothing or car
  • Some survivors develop very suspicious, paranoid feelings about strangers
  • Some feel a global fear of everyone

[edit] The Renormalization Stage

In this stage, the victim integrates the event into their life so that the rape is no longer the central focus of her life. During this stage negative feelings such as guilt and shame become resolved and the victim no longer blames themselves for the attack.

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

  • Burgess, Holstrom (1978). Rape Trauma Syndrome. Boston, Mass: American Psychiatric Association. 

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] Handbook of Crisis Counseling, Intervention, and Prevention in the Schools By Jonathan Sandoval
  2. ^ [2] Handbook of Crisis Counseling, Intervention, and Prevention in the Schools By Jonathan Sandoval
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