Rape Trauma Syndrome

Acute Phase
(generally lasting at least 2-6 weeks)

The initial immediate responses after a rape generally fall into 3 categories:

1. Expressed - the survivor is openly emoting

2. Controlled - the survivor is emotionless or acts as if nothing has happened and "everything is fine"

3. Shocked Disbelief - similar to physical with very strong disorientation

Common Responses
(for weeks, sometimes months after rape)

- extreme disorganization
- inability to do simple common tasks
- ritualistic behaviors (rigid schedule of behaviors)
- disruption in normal sleep/eating patterns
- re-occurring fear of violence and death
- feeling of being insane
- withdrawal from established relationships
- inability to concentrate

Secondary Phase:

During this time we see an adoption of a primary coping technique including:

1. Minimization - "It could have been worse". Pretense that all is fine.

2. Dramatization - Incessant talking about the rape. Inability to have definition outside of rape.

3. Suppression - No discussion - as if it didn't happen.

4. Explanation - Analytical approach often concerned with what the rapist was thinking/feeling

During the Secondary Phase the flight response is particularly high (moving, changing jobs, changing relationships). This often becomes a permanent coping mechanism.

Additional symptoms include:

-Self blame becomes more ingrained
-Maladaptive coping mechanisms begin (substance abuse, promiscuity)
-Many acute symptoms may persist
-Depression and/or rage may set in
-Survivor becomes more phobic
-Survivor has more difficulty engaging in activities other than business
-More of a sense of going through the motions
-More emotional disconnection from self and others
-Loss of intensity in joyous or other positive emotions
-Erratic moods
-Increase in sadness, helplessness and hopelessness
-Hypervigilance increases
-Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and nightmares increase
-Difficulty concentrating

The Aftermath of Rape:

Common Short and Long Term Responses to Sexual Assault

-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 ability to choose healthy relationships
-Decline in 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

Destruction of the Belief System

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