Rape Trauma Syndrome
Acute Phase: This phase occurs immediately after the assault. It may last a few days to several weeks. During this stage the victim may:
- seem agitated or hysterical ors/he may appear totally calm (a sign that s/he could be in shock);
- have crying spells and anxiety attacks;
- have difficulty concentrating, making decisions and doing simple, everyday tasks;
- show little emotion, act as though numb or stunned;
- have poor recall of the rape or other memories.
Outward Adjustment Phase: During this phase the victim resumes what appears to be from the outside her/his "normal" life. Inside, however, there is considerable turmoil which can manifest itself by any of the following behaviors:
- continuing anxiety
- sense of helplessness
- persistent fear and/or depression
- severe mood swings (e.g. happy to angry, etc.)
- vivid dreams recurrent nightmares, insomnia
- physical ailments
- appetite disturbances (e.g. nausea, vomiting, compulsive eating)
- efforts to deny the assault ever took place and/or to minimize its impact.
- withdrawal from friends and/or relatives
- preoccupation with personal safety
- reluctance to leave the house and/or go places which remind the victim of the rape
- hesitation about forming new relationships with men and/or distrustful or existing relationship
- sexual problems
- disruption of normal everyday routines (e.g. high absenteeism at work suddenly or, conversely, working longer than usual hours, dropping out of school, traveling different routes, going out only at certain times).
Resolution Phase: During this phase the rape is no longer the central focus in the victim's life. The victim begins to recognize that while s/he will never forget the assault, the pain and memories associated with it are lessening. S/he has accepted the rape as a part of her/his life experience and is choosing to move on from there. Some of the behaviors of the second phase may flare up at times but they do so less frequently and with less intensity. In this fashion the person who has survived has moved from being a "victim" to a "survivor."
The Aftermat of Rape: Common short and long term responses to sexual assault are:
- softening of pre-existing boundaries
- loss of ego strengthening behaviors
- increase in self-destructive behaviors
- loss of ability to maintain relationships and friendships
- isolating behaviors - both emotional and physical
- decline in the ability to choose healthy relationships
- decline in the ability to discern unhealthy or threatening behaviors in others
- loss of ego strength
- loss of belief in self
- diminished ability to enjoy things
- feelings of numbness and detachment
- diminished ability to feel true emotions
- misplaced emotional responses
- inability to perform at previously established competency levels
As stated before, everyone's experience with sexual assault is different. These are just some examples of what can happen as you heal from this trauma. It is important that you cope with these feelings in the way you feel best so that you can move forward with your life and get the help you need to heal.