What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs when you develop four types of symptoms in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Broadly speaking, these symptoms include:- Unwanted re-experiencing or reliving of a traumatic event, which may or may not be the result of exposure to specific triggers
- A compelling urge to avoid anything that could serve as a trauma trigger
- Hypersensitivity or hyperarousal of your nervous system caused by loss of control over your fight-or-flight response
- Negative changes in your everyday mood or ability to think clearly
PTSD and Sexual Assault
Many people who live through major trauma don’t develop PTSD. Unfortunately, survivors of sexual assault and rape have particularly high chances of experiencing symptoms of the disorder. In fact, the overwhelming majority of rape victims experience at least some PTSD symptoms within just two weeks, even though they can’t receive an official diagnosis in such a brief span of time. Almost a third of all women continue to experience their symptoms nine months after being raped. Overall, more than two-thirds of all victims of sexual assault and rape develop stress reactions that qualify as moderate or severe.Sexual Assault and PTSD Triggers
PTSD triggers can be anything that causes a person with post-traumatic stress disorder to experience a flare-up of symptoms. The types of triggers that provoke such a reaction can vary widely from person to person. However, they commonly include such things as:- Witnessing an event or situation that reminds you of the source of your trauma
- Seeing images that remind you of your traumatic experience
- Visiting places that remind you of your traumatic experience
- Hearing words or phrases that act as trauma reminders
