Rape Trauma Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Rape trauma syndrome is a common reaction to a rape or sexual assault. It is the human reaction to an unnatural or extreme event. More specifically, rape trauma syndrome is a response to the profound fear of death that almost all survivors experience during an assault. Anyone who experiences a traumatic event can suffer from rape trauma syndrome. Different kinds of traumas can produce different reactions. Take rape for example: rape is not just unwanted sex, it is a highly traumatic experience and like other serious traumas, it has negative effects on those who survive it. Symptoms of rape trauma syndrome include recurrent memories or flashbacks of the trauma, nightmares, insomnia and lack of interest in family, friends or hobbies. They may suffer from depression. They may also suffer from survivor guilt, have overwhelming emotions, and be irritable or jumpy. Rape trauma syndrome can affect survivors of war, violent attacks, rape, and natural disasters and can also affect people who witness these events.

Dreams and nightmares are a major symptom with the rape victim and occur both during the acute phase and the long-term process. Rape trauma syndrome is also often known as rape related post traumatic stress disorder (rrpstd). It is an acute stress reaction to a life-threatening situation that can last from two years to a lifetime. Rape trauma syndrome has two stages: the immediate or acute phase, in which the victim's lifestyle is completely disrupted by the rape crisis, and the long-term process, in which the victim must reorganize this disrupted lifestyle. A person with rape trauma syndrome may experience flashbacks during the acute or recovery phase. A flashback is when a person is exposed to some stimuli which triggers an involuntary reaction and can often set off a temporary crisis. During a flashback, a person may often feel as if they are reliving the trauma that affected them and can exhibit symptoms as if they are currently being attacked. Interjecting current stimuli or removing irritating stimuli may help a person during a flashback.

Causes of Rape trauma syndrome

The common causes and risk factor's of Rape trauma syndrome:

• The relationship with the offender.
• Previous experience with stress.
• Attitude of those immediately contacted after the assault.
• Significant pelvic injury.

Symptoms of Rape trauma syndrome

Some sign and symptoms related to Rape Trauma Syndrome are as follows:

• Recurrent memories.
• Flashbacks.
• Eating difficulties (nausea, vomiting, compulsive eating, etc.)
• Insomnia.
• Lack of interest in family, friends or hobbies.
• Sexual problems.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Depression.

Treatment of Rape trauma syndrome

• Antibiotics, if venereal infection is suspected or diagnosed.
• Sedatives or tranquilizers for a short time to reduce anxiety.
• Tetanus prophylaxis may be recommended.