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If I Only Had a Heart...
...SEXUAL ASSAULT AND TRAUMA  Click on What You Want to Read
Many survivors will experience symptoms of rape trauma syndrome or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These can include sleep disturbance - insomnia/nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, sexual concerns and flashbacks. Survivors may also experience problems with self injury, eating disorders and addictions. It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to respond to rape. Whatever you are feeling is O.K. For more details on the diagnostic criteria and the symptoms of PTSD please see below.
Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnostic criteria: 1. Exposure to a traumatic event(s) 2. The re-experiencing of the event in the forms of dreams, flashbacks, intrusive memories, or unrest at being in situations that remind you of the event 3. Avoidance behaviour - a numbing of emotions, reduced interest in others and the outside world and avoidance of situations that trigger memories of the event 4. Hyper arousal - insomnia, agitation, irritability, panic attacks, outburst of rage 5. The symptoms persist for more than one month Other Symptoms: Denial
Survivor or performance guilt Depression Reckless behaviour Difficulty concentrating Disassociation Shame Anxiety Addictions - alcohol or drug use, eating disorders, self injury Fears and phobias Anger Summarised from the following: Matsakis, A. I Can't Get Over It: A Handbook for Trauma Survivors, Oakland, Harbinger Publications Inc, 1996. Winn. L. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Dramatherapy, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers Ltd, 1994 Initial and Long-Term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse
Possible initial effects of child sexual abuse (those occurring within two years of the termination of the abuse): Depression Guilt Shame Fears and phobias Anger and hostility Low self-esteem and feeling of inferiority Anxiety Sleep and eating disturbances Effects on sexuality: Open masturbation Excessive sexual curiosity Frequent exposure of genitals Effects on Social Functioning Difficulties at school including truancy Anti-social and disruptive behaviour Running away from home Possible long-term effects of child sexual abuse: Depression
Self destructive tendencies e.g. self-harm, eating disorders Anxiety Sleep disturbances Nervousness Dissociation Multiple personality Psychosomatic pains Obsessive compulsive disorders PTSD Effects on self esteem:
Feelings of isolation Feelings of stigmatisation Negative self image Impact on Interpersonal Relating: Difficulties relating to both women and men Conflict with parents Discomfort in responding to their own children Difficulty trusting others Reactions of fear, hostility, and sense of betrayal to others Fear of sex partners Vulnerability to re-victimisation Effects on sexuality: Avoidance or abstinence from sex A compulsive desire for sex Low levels of sexual self-esteem Not sexually responsive Fear Vaginismus Dyspareunia Oversexualisation Impaired orgasm/arousal Effects on social functioning: Prostitution Substance abuse Difficulty trusting others Fear of intimacy Summarised from: Finkelhor, D. A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse, London, SAGE Publications Ltd, 1986. Sanderson, S. Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers Ltd, |
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