Psychological problems after rape

Answer 1

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS OF RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME * Crying more than usual. * Difficulty concentrating. * Being restless, agitated and unable to relax; or on the other hand just sitting around and moving very little. * Not wanting to go out and/or socialise; or on the other hand socialising more than usual. * Not wanting to be left alone. * Stuttering or stammering more than usual. * Trying to avoid anything that reminds the Survivor of the rape. So for example, someone who was raped at a party may stop going to parties. Many rape survivors don't want to talk about what happened, because it makes them remember the rape. * Being more easily frightened or startled than usual. Rape survivors often get very scared when someone walks up behind them without warning. * Being very alert and watchful. * Getting very upset by minor things that didn't worry them before the rape. * Losing interest in things that used to be of interest to them before the rape. * Problems in relationships with people like family, friends, lovers and spouses. Rape survivors may become irritable and so may quarrel with others more easily; or they may withdraw from people with whom they had been close before the rape. They may also become very dependent on others, or on the other hand overly independent. * Sexual problems like a fear of sex, a loss of interest in sex or a loss of sexual pleasure. * Changes in work or school such as: dropping out of school, truanting from school, changing jobs, or stopping work altogether. * Moving house. * Increased use of substances like alcohol, cigarettes and/or drugs. A person who didn't use a substance before the rape may start to use it after a rape. * Increased washing and/or bathing, because of a feeling of being dirty from the rape. * Acting as if the rape never happened. It is quite common for rape survivors to try and carry on with their lives as if nothing has happened, because they don't want to face their feelings about the rape. This is called denial. PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME * Intrusive thoughts about the rape that upset the rape survivor. * Intrusive thoughts and feelings about being dirty from (contaminated by) the rape. These feelings often make rape survivors wash or bath more frequently. These thoughts are known as obsessional thoughts. * Flashbacks - the sudden feeling that the rape is happening again, which makes the survivor very frightened and upset. * Nightmares about the rape. * Being very upset by anything that reminds the survivor of the rape. * Becoming extremely afraid of certain things that remind the survivor of the rape. Such extreme fears are called phobias. Rape survivors often develop extreme fears of men, of strangers, of being alone, of leaving their homes, of going to school or to work, and of sex. These phobias are called traumatophobias, because they are caused by a trauma. * A loss of memory for all or part of the rape, which is called psychogenic amnesia. * Being unable to feel certain feelings like happiness, or feeling very 'flat'. On the other hand, rape survivors can feel emotionally confused and have mood swings (quick changes of mood). * Feeling that they will not live for very long and/or feeling very negative about their future prospects. * Feeling depressed and/or sad, and sometimes having thoughts of suicide. * Feeling irritable and angry. * Feeling more fearful and anxious than usual. Rape survivors are often very afraid that their assailant/s will return, that they may be pregnant or have been infected with a disease from the rape. * Feelings of humiliation and shame. * Feeling different and/or distant from other people. * Feelings of guilt and self-blame about the rape. Rape survivors often feel that they were somehow responsible for being raped. * Feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. * A loss of self respect and self confidence. Many rape survivors feel that the rape has made them worth less than other people. http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/sjrp/publicat/rape.htm

Answer 2

After experiencing rape, individuals may experience a range of psychological problems including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and feelings of shame or guilt. It is important for survivors to seek support from mental health professionals who specialize in trauma to work through their emotions and develop coping strategies. It is also crucial for survivors to have a strong support system of friends and family to help them navigate their healing journey.